Project Updates
Previous Progress Update–November 2012 (return to the current progress update)
Thank you for your continued interest in MSD's Werk & Westbourne Enhanced High Rate Treatment (WWEHRT) Facility project, situated on the southwest corner of the Werk & Westbourne 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, and increase neighborhood curb appeal by eliminating sewer debris and reducing sewer odors in the near vicinity. The following is a summary of the project's recent progress.
Progress Overview
Work over the summer focused on fine-tuning design elements for the WWEHRT facility. This effort will continue into the fall as the WWEHRT Project Team and MSD officials work to ensure that the facility's design optimizes its operations and appropriately manages construction, operation and maintenance costs. The facility's preliminary design recommendations are expected to be finalized by year's end. Other updates include:
- The WWEHRT Project Team and MSD officials met with Ohio Environmental Protection Agency representatives in August to address technical review comments for the Section 401 Water Quality Certification Application. The team also developed a conceptual plan to reduce impacts to streams. The application was subsequently approved by OEPA.
- The WWEHRT Project Team anticipates additional coordination with representatives of the United States Army Corps of Engineers in upcoming months to complete the Section 404 Permit process by the end of this year.
- In July, the WWEHRT Project Team collected and analyzed soil and rock samples from the project site to determine soil properties. Information gained from these recent geotechnical tests as well as from earlier studies is being incorporated into the design considerations for the facility.
- The WWEHRT Project Team reviewed ideas developed during a Value Engineering Workshop to maximize the facility's efficiency and value, and has made recommendations to MSD on which ideas to incorporate into the facility's design. The team is completing design updates to capture the ideas approved by MSD.
Next Steps
The WWHERT Project Team will conclude preliminary design efforts at the end of October. Once complete, the team will commence with the Detailed Design Phase, which MSD has authorized. Construction of the WWEHRT Facility is scheduled to start in 2014 and the facility will be operational no later than December 2017.
For More Information
Additional information about the WWEHRT Facility project is available at http://projectgroundwork.org/werkwestbourne. 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.