Page 11 - 3. References

Fairmont, Minnesota REFERENCES 3
FAIRMONT WATER SYSTEM PLANNING AND NEW WTP

Facing Multiple Challenges involved completion of in-depth facility The project also arranged and
The Fairmont Water Treatment and equipment condition assessment, facilitated an on-site pilot test for
Plant (WTP) was experiencing and subsequent completion of a risk Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) technology
treatment capacity limitations as well as analysis. Each project option considered for improved algae removal. Ultimately,
challenges related to aging infrastructure, was evaluated with respect to capital and DAF was excluded from final design, as
including operational difficulties life cycle costs, treatment effectiveness, the costs outweighed the benefits.
related to deteriorating and outdated process redundancy, operation and
treatment processes. Proposed drinking maintenance requirements, and Full Speed Ahead
water regulations would likely require constructability. Based on these factors, Following a collaborative design
improvements or advanced treatment decommissioning of the existing facility process, construction of the new WTP
processes to be implemented in the future and construction of a new WTP was began in July 2011. The WTP began
at the WTP. recommended. operations in August 2013. The 5.4
To address these challenges, the million gallon per day (MGD) facility
City retained AE2S to complete a Confirmation of Recommendations includes the following treatment
Facility Master Plan, designed to include Following completion of the Master processes: raw water aeration,
population and water demand projections, Plan, AE2S initiated an on-site pilot conventional lime and soda ash softening,
evaluation of current and future drinking treatment operation that was designed a filter press solids handling process,
water regulations, establishment of specifically to comparatively analyze conventional sand filtration, GAC
treatment target goals, completion of a the Taste and Odor (T&O) mitigation filtration, on-site generation of sodium
source water evaluation, a WTP condition performance of Ultraviolet light (UV) hypochlorite for chlorine disinfection,
assessment and risk analysis, a treatment and Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2), ozone, and eight additional chemical feed
technology evaluation, and development and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC). systems. Interesting project components
of preferred project alternatives for Analysis included “spiking” pilot water included demolishing an existing school
evaluation. with increased concentrations of T&O to make way for the new facility location,
compounds to evaluate performance rehabilitating and reusing the existing
Rehabilitation or Replacement? under worst case conditions. raw water intake station, intermediate
Rehabilitation of the existing In addition to analytical evaluation, pumping station, high service pumping
facility, as well as total replacement, were performance of the alternative station, and demolishing the existing
evaluated. Due to the significant capital technologies was evaluated by an facility and restoring the adjacent lake
investment for renewal or replacement “Odor Panel” consisting of WTP staff, shoreline.
of the existing WTP, thorough City officials, residents, and engineers.
consideration of potential reuse of in-place Participation not only assisted in process
infrastructure was a high priority. Thus, selection, but also improved public DATE
a major component of master planning support for the project. 2007 - 2013
PROJECT COSTS CLIENT
~$30 Million City of Fairmont, MN
CLIENT CONTACT
Troy Nemmers
City Engineer
507-238-9461

KEY PROJECT ELEMENTS
• Lime Softening Treatment
• Partially Funded by Drinking
Water State Revolving Fund
Loans and Green Project Reserve
• On-Site Sodium Hypochlorite
Generation
• Ground Water Source
• New 5.4 MGD WTP System
• Control System (I&C) Design

AE2S BURNSVILLE TECHNICAL SPECIALTY CONSULTANT ENGINEERING SERVICES SOQ 3.11