The joint venture partnership of Hazen and Sawyer/CDM conducted an intensive pilot-testing program for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection's (NYCDEP) Catskill and Delaware water supply systems. The 30-month study answered an EPA-issued determination requiring the city to conduct a comprehensive study and prepare preliminary designs for a future treatment facility should filtration become necessary. This innovative, two-phase pilot-testing program used a pilot plant custom-built by CDM that concurrently tested multiple process trains and unit process operations over 30 months to experience the full range of source water conditions.
If built, the resulting 1.9-billion gallons per day water filtration plant would be the world's largest single filtration plant. Because NYCDEP was able to demonstrate that filtration is not required, however, they will instead will build an ultraviolet disinfection facility—designed by the Hazen and Sawyer/CDM team—to meet evolving and anticipated future federal drinking water requirements.
The innovative pilot program received an Honor Award from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers in 2000.
CLIENT: New York City Department of Environmental Protection
LOCATION: Valhalla, New York