Pinellas County 110-MGD Water Blending Facility

Jones Edmunds designed a phased approach to implement a water quality blending, attenuation, and chemical treatment facility. After conversion to chloramine disinfection in 2002, this project resolved water quality problems in the Pinellas County Water System (PCWS).

Pinellas County receives water from Tampa Bay Water from three sources-groundwater, surface water, and desalinized water. As a result, the varying blends of water from these sources cause widely fluctuating water quality changes within the PCWS. The WBF intends to attenuate these water quality changes. The facility has a design capacity of 110 MGD. The Basis of Design included a water quality study; blending studies; and other analyses for a proposed detention, blending, and minimal treatment facility. The report also included a review of project delivery options to identify the most cost-effective and efficient delivery method for this project.

Furthermore, key project components included:

• Two 10-MG mechanically mixed prestressed concrete blending/attenuation tanks
• Chemical feed
• Mixing facilities for six separate chemicals
• A new high-service pumping station with two 10-MG mechanically mixed ground storage reservoirs
• An Operations and Security building designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane wind

To complete project tasks, Jones Edmunds prepared plans, specifications, and permits. We also performed hydraulic modeling as well as coordinating and providing support for public meetings. The facility is designed to accommodate membrane treatment facilities in the future, as required. The facility design was complete and ready for bidding for the spring of 2009.