October 2021

The footprint of the reactor tanks measures 84’-6” long by 67’-10” wide and includes elevated troughs and scum boxes. The tank is built on three different base slab elevations, ranging from elevation 16.00’ to elevation 27.00’, which required three separate slab pours. A mixer is located in the center of each de-ammonification reactor which is supported by the precast structure. The sidestream tank also includes an integrated pump room measuring 20’ long by 28’-11” wide. The pump room is covered with a concrete roof and is adjoining to two rectangular clarifiers measuring 42’ long by 28’-11” wide. The clarifier tanks have a sloped base slab.

The structure, which is partially buried, contains wall heights ranging from 26’ tall to 12’ tall. The on-site construction schedule for the sidestream tank was 12 weeks. Dutchland was pleased to partner on a project that uses efficiency, technology and sustainability to enhance the region’s environmental and financial health.

The tank, measuring 77’ long by 71’ wide by 21’ tall, includes a three-train Flocculation Plate Settler/Sedimentation design with an adjoining carbon contact basin and dry pipe gallery. The tank has three different base slab elevations, and two small portions of the tank are covered with a precast roof.  The tank is comprised of 175 precast pieces. The precast was erected in 6 days and Dutchland’s total on-site duration was only 9 weeks. 

The Yardley WTP project is Dutchland’s sixth project with PA American Water.  Pennsylvania American Water’s Yardley Water Treatment Plant provides drinking water to nearly 13,000 homes and businesses in Lower Makefield Township, Yardley Borough, and portions of Falls Township. It was gratifying for Dutchland to partner with Allan Myers and Gannett Fleming on the project to contribute to providing safe, clean, affordable and reliable water service to so many people.

Did you know that modifying post-tensioned structures is very feasible and can be done without compromising the structural integrity of the tank? A prime example is the recent expansion and upgrade for the Fredericksburg Sewer & Water Authority in Lebanon County, PA.

This past summer, Dutchland completed a tank expansion at the Fredericksburg WWTP which was built in 2013. The original wastewater treatment tank included two SBR trains, two digesters, and a post-equalization tank. However, provisions were made during in the engineering design to add a third SBR train if needed in the future.

In 2021, a plant expansion was needed due to residential growth. Dutchland was able to add a third SBR train to the original tank. The new SBR tank, measuring 45’ long by 60’ wide, was easily integrated into the original structure. The post-tensioning strand in the new precast walls are coupled directly to the existing tank tendons. This essentially creates tendons from the old construction through the new construction.

In addition to the structural tank construction, Dutchland was the general contractor for the project and responsible for the excavation, mechanical equipment installation, and electrical equipment installation as well as the tank. Dutchland added an additional UV system, upgraded the disk filter system by adding more disks, added motor blowers, and performed mechanical changes to accommodate the new SBR train.