About the Project
The Issue
The Solution
Facility Appearance
The Issue
During wet weather, a portion of the combined sewers that service Green Township overflow from an outfall at the southwest corner of the Werk Road and Westbourne Drive intersection into Schaible Creek. These combined sewer overflows (CSOs) occur when too much stormwater enters the combined sewers during wet weather such as rainstorms and snow melts.
When the combined sewer system was built in this area in the late 1950's, discharging stormwater mixed with sanitary sewage into local creeks and streams was a common wastewater management practice used by sewer agencies across the nation. Growing public health and environmental concerns, however, later drove limits to be placed on sewer overflows through the Clean Water Act. Today, MSD and sewer agencies nationwide are focused on controlling CSOs through programs of system improvements and, where necessary, new treatment facilities
The Solution
After studying the possible options for reducing CSOs, MSD determined the best solution for the Werk & Westbourne site is to construct an Enhanced High Rate Treatment (EHRT) facility to capture, store and treat most overflows before they are released into the creek.
EHRT facilities are specifically designed to treat and disinfect wastewater overflows before they are discharged into the environment. EHRT facilities operate only when needed, primarily during wet weather. They are typically much smaller than conventional treatment facilities and can more easily blend into the surrounding neighborhood.
The WWEHRT Facility will control a majority of CSO events at this site, enabling MSD to better protect public health and the local environment. It will also improve the neighborhood by reducing sewer odors caused by sewer odors and sewer debris along the streambed caused by sewer overflows at this location.
Facility Appearance
MSD is sensitive that the Werk & Westbourne EHRT Facility will be built in a residential area and is working to incorporate elements of the surrounding neighborhood into the facility design. The facility will be built on a 7.5 acre triangular-shaped parcel of land located at the southwest corner of the Werk & Westbourne intersection. Key features include:
- The front of the WWEHRT facility, the Operations Building, will face Werk Road. Its shape will be similar to two separate, two-story houses, each with a peaked roof on top. These will be connected together by a 120-foot long single-story structure with a flat roof. The front of the Operations Building will be approximately 30 feet tall at its tallest points, from ground to roof peak, and will be approximately 220 feet long. This portion of the facility will have brick-covered walls and shingled roofs that resemble the rooftop and wall construction of neighboring houses.
- A series of concrete-covered tanks will extend approximately 240 feet behind the facility on its western side. This portion of the facility will be approximately twelve feet tall at its highest point and will have a flat roof. The western wall of this portion of the facility will be covered with the same brick veneer as the front section.
- A parking area will be located in front of the facility. A driveway will be constructed in front of the facility to allow service vehicles to enter and exit the facility grounds without blocking traffic on Werk Road.
- A decorative fence will surround the facility.
- Trees and other plants that reflect the Werk & Westbourne neighborhood will be planted around the front and sides of the facility.
Below are conceptual renderings depicting various views of the completed facility.