Project Updates
Previous Progress Update – August 2011 (return to the current progress update)
The WWEHRT Facility project is currently in the initial Planning and Conceptual Design Development phase. This phase involves an extensive series of site studies, computer-based modeling and general information gathering. The knowledge gained will be used to determine the functional needs for the facility and to develop its conceptual design.
Data Collection
Over the past several months, the WWEHRT project team has been conducting a series of field studies in and around the project site to gather pertinent data to be used in the planning and design processes. These studies include property investigations, environmental and ecological surveys, topographic surveys, stream and wet weather flow monitoring, and water quality sampling. Although most of these studies are now complete, crews may periodically return to the site over the next few months to verify data collected and complete water quality sampling efforts.
Hydraulic and Treatment Performance Models
The project team is currently developing Hydraulic and Treatment Performance models, computer-based programs which will be used to help determine the ideal size and configuration of the WWEHRT facility. These models will assist the team in testing possible facility configurations and sewer system modifications, and predicting which alternative, or combination of alternatives, will be most effective in managing and treating wet weather flows.
Regulatory Agency Meetings
The project team has been working with regulatory agencies, such as the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, to clearly define the agencies' permitting expectations for the project. It's expected that determining permitting requirements now will streamline the permit acquisition process in later phases of the project.
Next Steps
During the upcoming months, the WWEHRT project team will continue developing and evaluating possible EHRT facility design alternatives, and will determine which design best meets the project's objectives. The project team will present its findings and preliminary design recommendations to MSD in early 2012. Once the design recommendations are approved, a two-year Detailed Design phase will begin. Construction is scheduled to start in 2014 and the WWEHRT Facility will be operational no later than December 2017.
For More Information
Questions can be directed to the project team by sending a message to MSD.WerkWestbourne@cincinnati-oh.gov or by calling the MSD Engineering Customer Service Line at (513) 557-3594.