TECHNICAL CHALLENGE: Zero-Disruption Capacity Doubling with Advanced Nutrient Removal
The new facility was built on the same site as the facility it's replacing, something the district's general manager, Mike Luers, likened to remodeling a home while the people are still inside. This $50 million project required doubling treatment capacity from 2.0 MGD to 4.0 MGD while implementing advanced tertiary treatment with biological nutrient removal to protect Echo Reservoir.
Advanced Engineering Requirements:
- 4.0 MGD design capacity with peak flow capability handling 3.8 MGD during the Sundance Film Festival
- Advanced biological nutrient removal achieving damaging material from the wastewater, like phosphorus and nitrogen, an entire order of magnitude more successfully than it could before
- Tertiary treatment standards with UV disinfection for high-quality effluent discharge
- Prestressed concrete construction optimized for 50+ year design life in freeze-thaw environment
- Advanced odor control systems utilizing activated carbon adsorption for community protection
- Phased construction sequencing maintaining 2.0 MGD operational capacity throughout construction
Complex Site Engineering:
- Confined urban construction requiring specialized equipment access and staging
- Utility coordination with existing infrastructure and limited construction easements
- Environmental protection during construction near sensitive Silver Creek watershed
- Geotechnical challenges requiring specialized foundation design for mountain soil conditions
PROJECT RESULTS: Industry Recognition and Operational Excellence
Multiple Industry Awards:
- 2019 Most Outstanding Water/Wastewater Project - Utah Construction & Design Magazine
- AGC of Utah Civil/Public Works Project of the Year
- Named as the "2019 Most Outstanding Water/Wastewater Project" by Utah Construction & Design
Technical Performance:
- 4.0 MGD treatment capacity successfully handling resort community peak demands
- Advanced nutrient removal exceeding regulatory requirements by order of magnitude
- 100% regulatory compliance for 22 consecutive years (Silver Creek facility)
- National environmental recognition with Platinum Peak Performance awards
- Zero environmental incidents during complex phased construction
Operational Validation: The new plant was turned on for the first time in April, major construction finished in November, final punch-list items were completed by the end of the year and when the December numbers came in last month, Luers said the project came in nearly $2 million under budget.
Engineering Client Testimonials: "Our goal at the Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District is to protect human health and our local environment. We are honored to be recognized for our commitment to the Snyderville Basin/Park City community." - Michael Luers, General Manager, Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District
TECHNICAL MASTERY FOR ADVANCED ENGINEERS:
Water Treatment Process Engineering:
- Advanced biological nutrient removal design and optimization techniques
- Tertiary treatment integration with UV disinfection and advanced filtration
- Process control system design utilizing SCADA and distributed control architectures
- Regulatory compliance engineering for complex watershed protection requirements
Specialized Construction Techniques:
- Phased construction management maintaining critical infrastructure operations
- Prestressed concrete expertise in water treatment facility applications
- Urban construction coordination requiring specialized logistics and community relations
- Quality assurance protocols ensuring long-term structural and process reliability
Media Coverage and Recognition:
- Utah Construction & Design Magazine: Award recognition and technical coverage
- Park Record: Comprehensive project coverage and technical specifications
- KPCW Radio: Environmental achievement recognition coverage
- National Association of Clean Water Agencies: Platinum award recognition
ENGINEERING SOLUTION: Advanced Water Treatment Process Integration
Biological Treatment Process Design: A new $50 million wastewater treatment plant tricks microorganisms by depriving their oxygen to reduce the water's phosphorus to levels vastly surpassing what's required. The process utilizes anoxic/aerobic biological nutrient removal with precise dissolved oxygen control.
Prestressed Concrete Engineering:
- AWWA D110 compliance for water contact structures utilizing Type III prestressed construction
- Post-tensioned wall systems providing superior crack control and long-term durability
- Specialized concrete mix design incorporating supplementary cementitious materials for sulfate resistance
- Advanced curing protocols ensuring optimal strength development in variable mountain climate
Process Control and Instrumentation:
- Real-time nutrient monitoring with automated process adjustment capabilities
- SCADA integration providing remote monitoring and control capabilities
- Redundant instrumentation ensuring continuous compliance monitoring and reporting
- Advanced process optimization utilizing model predictive control algorithms
Odor Control Engineering:
- Activated carbon adsorption systems with automatic regeneration capabilities
- Biofilter secondary treatment for enhanced odor compound removal
- Building ventilation design optimized for negative pressure odor containment
Community impact minimization through advanced dispersion modeling and control
