Werk & Westbourne Enhanced High Rate Treatment (WWEHRT) Facility
Progress Update – December 2017
Thank you for your continued interest in MSD's Werk & Westbourne Enhanced High Rate Treatment (WWEHRT) Facility, situated on the southwest corner of the Werk Road & Westbourne Drive intersection. This facility will allow MSD to control most combined sewer overflow events at this site, provide better protection of public health and the local environment, eliminate sewer debris, and reduce sewer odors in the near vicinity. The following is a summary of the project's progress.
The Werk & Westbourne Enhanced High Rate Treatment (WWEHRT) Facility is nearing completion!
Most of the exterior construction is now finished including the Operations Building, located at the front of the facility along Werk Road, as well as the facility's buried and partially-buried structures: the influent control structure, pump station and EHRT basins. Backfilling around structures and grading is also nearly complete, though some additional grading will take place in the coming months once crews begin installing the facility's driveway along Werk Road.
Crews have also continued earthwork activities to re-contour and shape the channel for Schaible Creek. Boulders of varying sizes have been positioned along the banks and some landscaping has been installed along the Westbourne Drive side of the creek.
Crews are currently working to complete the Operations Building roof and finish installing equipment inside. Initial start-up and testing is expected to begin by the end of the year and testing activities will continue through the winter months. The facility is scheduled to be operational by the end of March.An aerial photo of the project site taken in early December. This photo shows the final shape of the facility.
FACILITY OPERATIONS
When complete, the WWEHRT Facility will operate when the combined sewer system is full - primarily during and after rainstorms and snow melts. At those times, excess wastewater and stormwater from the sewer system will be diverted into the facility and sent through a screening process to remove debris. The facility's pump station will convey flow to the enhanced high rate treatment process to further clean and disinfect the water prior to its release into Schaible Creek. The facility will be able to address the majority of sewer overflows occurring at this location.
Most operations will be contained inside the facility, so any noise heard outside will primarily be from roof-mounted fans (which sound similar to an air conditioner). Trucks will periodically deliver supplies to the facility during daytime hours. Service teams will also arrive periodically to conduct operations and maintenance activities.
An illustration of how wastewater (Inflow from Combined Sewer) will travel through the WWEHRT Facility.
LANDSCAPING
Early next year, crews will begin landscaping the property surrounding the facility. Plants to be installed were selected based on feedback received from the community and will be a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees blended with a variety of mid-sized and smaller-sized shrubs, grasses and perennial flowers. Plant selections are mostly species native to the area.
An ornamental fence, similar in appearance to the fence surrounding MSD's facility located at the corner of Muddy Creek and Westbourne Drive, will surround the majority of the project site. In response to feedback received from the community, MSD will also install privacy fencing between the facility's western property line and the private homes along Picwood Drive. A new sidewalk will also be constructed along Werk Road between Westbourne Drive and Picwood Drive next spring.
In upcoming months, crews will complete channel armoring, bank treatments, and landscaping along the sides of Schaible Creek.
CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS
View of the front of the WWEHRT Facility, looking east towards Westbourne Drive. The exterior of the facility is nearly complete and crews are now installing equipment inside. In upcoming months, a driveway will be constructed in front of the facility and MSD will install a public sidewalk along Werk Road, between Westbourne Drive and Picwood Drive.
A view inside the WWHERT Facility. Storage and treatment equipment is currently being installed.
A view of the main outfall gates located to the east of the Operations Building.
PLEASE USE CAUTION WHEN TRAVELING IN THE AREA
Although construction of the WWEHRT Facility is wrapping up, crews will still be present in the area during the next few months and construction parking will continue to be located on the north side of Werk Road, across from the project site.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
MSD is committed to keeping you informed about the progress of the WWEHRT Facility and we invite your questions and feedback. Opportunities through which you can learn more and connect with the Project Team include:
PROJECT WEBSITE
New information about the project and its progress will be posted on this website as it becomes available.
MSD ENGINEERING CUSTOMER SERVICE
Share questions and comments with MSD by sending an email to MSD.Communications@cincinnati-oh.gov or calling (513) 557-3594.