Oxford WWTP ENR Upgrade
Location Oxford, MD
Client Town of Oxford
Size 0.15 MGD
Costs $1,400,000
Date of Completion 2020
Services #Architecture #Construction Services #Consulting #Structural Engineering #Water / Wastewater Engineering
Sectors #Consulting #Funding Assistance #Government #Infrastructure #Wastewater Systems
The Town of Oxford contracted with GMB to complete a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) and Environmental Report (ER) to submit to USDA for funding assistance for the proposed ENR upgrade of the existing Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). GMB completed the PER by updating the cost estimates for multiple alternatives and developed the ER for submission and approval by USDA. GMB also assisted with securing an MDE Bay Restoration Fund grant for the project by negotiating eligibility with the State of Maryland as the first minor plant funded.
The PER and ER evaluated a number of treatment alternatives to replace the current facultative lagoons. These alternatives include Membrane Biological Reactors, Oxidation Ditches, Wave Oxidation (i.e., Biolac), and Denitrification Filters with treatment to both BNR and ENR levels.
The recommended alternative included replacing the existing facultative lagoon treatment system with a Wave Oxidation (Biolac) activated sludge process with independent, conventional secondary clarifiers and denitrification filters. The existing lagoons are to be abandoned and the new facilities constructed in their place due to site constraints and limited land available for the new facilities. The PER/ER also identified a need for the replacement of the existing influent pumps to meet the increased hydraulic profile created by the new facilities.
Design of the ENR upgrade includes wastewater process design, stormwater and site design, environmental permitting, geotechnical evaluation, structural design, electrical design, mechanical design, permitting, contract management, and coordination with funding agencies to create bidding documents. The design of these facilities includes the upgrade of the Main Pumping Station with new pumps and controls with a wireless telemetry system connecting the pump controls and alarms to the WWTP for centralized monitoring and alarms.
GMB was responsible for the Preliminary Engineering Report, Environmental Report, assistance with Funding Acquisition, and coordination with MDE and USDA. In 2014, GMB was hired to complete the design efforts based on the recommendations of the PER/ER. The design of the ENR Upgrades was completed in 2016, and construction was completed and successfully meeting ENR standards in 2020.
