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| Chaparral Water Treatment Plant earns two awards Scottsdale's new Chaparral Water Treatment Plant (WTP) has earned two significant awards. The 30-million-gallon-per-day facility, which began producing potable water in March 2006, recently received two local awards: an Art in Public Places Award of Merit from the Valley Forward Association and a Grand Award in Engineering Excellence from the Arizona chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). Black & Veatch provided site selection, pilot testing, design and construction-related services for the new facility, which uses direct microfiltration for advanced treatment of surface water. The company worked closely with architectural sub-consultant Swaback Partners to ensure that the plant, situated in Chaparral Park and surrounded by residential neighborhoods, would be a welcome addition to the community. According to Scottsdale Water Resources General Manager David Mansfield, the finished water from Chaparral surpasses the city's water quality goals, including particulate and arsenic removal and odor and taste control. The Chaparral WTP is the first major surface water treatment plant in Arizona to employ direct microfiltation followed by granular activated carbon adsorption. Disinfection is accomplished with sodium hypochlorite, which is produced and stored on-site – eliminating the need for delivery of hazardous chemicals. The treatment facilities, a buried 5.5-million-gallon finished-water reservoir and pump station encompass only nine acres of a 29-acre site. By comparison, a conventional plant typically requires an area two or three times this size. The site, located at the intersection of McDonald and Hayden drives, features public art in the form of weathered metal sculptures that resemble sails and nomadic desert dwellings. The sculptures span the two exterior walls of the plant that face the intersection. Special landscape treatments in terraces defined by gabion walls (indigenous rocks in metal baskets) step down from the building perimeters to the street. The renovation of Chaparral Park was also designed by Black & Veatch and its sub-consultant team. When construction is completed in April 2007, the site will feature extensive xeriscape landscaping, which conserves water and protects the environment; large open spaces; a lighted dog park; ball fields, and public restrooms. Valley Forward is a Phoenix-based organization comprised of members from the various cities in the Phoenix metropolitan area, including mayors, vice mayors and city council members, as well as representatives from the building industry and corporations headquartered in the Phoenix area. This was the organization's 26th annual Environmental Excellence Awards program, locally known as the Academy Awards of the environmental community. Five coveted Crescordia awards and 22 merit awards were presented. The ACEC Arizona chapter's program is in its 26th year and recognizes engineering achievements that demonstrate the highest degree of merit and ingenuity. Grand awards give tribute to Arizona's most prestigious and distinguished engineering projects, as judged by peers. Eight grand awards and 19 merit awards were presented in eight categories at this year's awards ceremony. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Construction News :: home page |