Gilbane breaks ground for phase 1 of Norwalk wastewater treatment plant

The Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) for the city held a groundbreaking ceremony for its $37 million - Phase 1 Upgrade to the Wastewater Treatment Plant on October 15. When fully completed, the Norwalk WPCF will be a leader in the State of Connecticut's goal of improving the quality of Long Island Sound through the substantial reduction in the discharge of harmful nutrients and improved water quality. The project has been a collaborative effort through the design process and will continue through construction. Gilbane Building Company is providing construction management services, and Camp Dresser & McKee is the engineer. Mayor Richard Moccia opened the ceremony, stating, "This facility is the first phase of a multi-year project to upgrade our wastewater treatment plant." "This is an increase in our pretreatment capacity of over 3 times what we currently have available and significantly improves our ability to treat wastewater during wet weather events" said Darren Oustafine, WPCA Chairman. "Although our plant runs exceptionally and well below permit limits, we - as a board and in partnership with our city staff - are continually seeking ways to improve this treatment plant's operation." "We are excited to be a part of this project, which will improve the City of Norwalk's water treatment capabilities," said Steven Kononchik, vice president of Gilbane Building Company. "The results of the project will also support sustainable initiatives that are critical to the Long Island Sound." Collectively referred to as the plant's "headworks", this phase includes main lift pumping and grit and screens removal to treat a peak flow of up to 90 million gallons per day. The new facility will also provide improved treatment for the extraneous flow the plant receives during wet weather events. A major highlight of the project will be the construction of a 25-foot+ deep structure supported by hundreds of concrete piles in complex soil conditions. The project also includes a number of "green" initiatives including premium efficiency motors, high efficiency fluorescent lighting, a building structure that will meet or exceed the current insulation requirements set forth by the Connecticut State Building Code, and an innovative "Solarwall" that will use solar energy to reduce the building's heating requirements. This upgrade is being financed through the State of Connecticut's Clean Water Fund. The city of Norwalk will receive over $14 million in grants and almost $22 million in low-interest loans for its construction. Recently named to FortuneMagazine's 100 Best Companies in America to Work For, Gilbane is a full-service construction and real estate development company comprised of Gilbane Building Company and Gilbane Development Company. The company is one of the nation's largest construction and program managers providing a full slate of facilities-related services for clients in the educational, healthcare, life sciences, mission-critical, corporate, sports and recreation, criminal justice and aviation markets. Gilbane's Connecticut office currently employs a100 employees who deliver a full range of preconstruction, construction and program management services to public, commercial, and institutional clients in Connecticut. Gilbane's Connecticut district has managed construction projects for many respected organizations including the University of Connecticut, Pratt & Whitney, Pfizer Bayer, Fairfield University, and St. Vincent's Hospital, among others . The city of Norwalk Water WPCA provides regional municipal wastewater collection and treatment services to a population of approximately 70,000 in Norwalk, the town of Wilton and areas in the town of Westport. The WPCA oversees the operation and maintenance of an extensive sewer system that includes 170 miles of pipeline, 22 pumping stations, and an 18 million gallon per day (MGD) advanced secondary wastewater treatment plant. Wastewater treated by the WPCA at its South Smith St. facility is discharged into the Norwalk River and must meet both federal and state effluent quality standards.