Gresham Smith-Designed Infrastructure Improvements Honored by Trenchless Technology Magazine
Gresham Smith is proud to announce that Trenchless Technology magazine has recognized the Guam Route 3 Northern Interceptor Sewer Rehabilitation project as the Trenchless Rehabilitation Project of the Year. Working as a sub-consultant to JV Core Tech-Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company (CT-HD) and local engineering firm Duenas, Camacho and Associates, Inc. (DCA), Gresham Smith designed trenchless improvements to 45,000 linear feet – over eight miles – of sewer line as part of the Guam Waterworks Authority (GWA) Refurbishment Project in the Northern District. The project was featured on the cover of the publication’s October issue, with an in-depth case study included inside.
“This recognition is an honor for the entire project team. Successfully using an integrated pipe renewal process in lieu of traditional replacement methods represents a resilient, cost-effective maintenance and capacity renewal solution,” said Ken Stewart, P.E., Vice President at Gresham Smith. “We are proud of the ways this project maximized cost savings while improving the sewer system’s integrity for the future.”
“This was one of the many projects we have worked on with Gresham Smith and it was truly a pleasure working with them and the rest of the project team. We value their work and our long-standing relationship,” said Kenneth M. Rekdahl, P.E., Chief of Special Projects at Duenas, Camacho and Associates, Inc.
The existing sewer infrastructure serves the northern part of Guam, including Andersen Air Force Base (AAFB) and Finegayan, and conveys wastewater to the Northern District Wastewater Treatment Plant. Due to its age, the system was experiencing failures and blockages that were causing groundwater infiltration and inflow and ultimately compromising the integrity of the sewer line. The rehabilitation was required to correct those issues and to support U.S. Department of Defense’s new Marine Corps base, Camp Blaz, which is currently under construction.
Leveraging extensive sewer rehabilitation design experience, the Gresham Smith team used a topographic survey of the project area, geographic information system (GIS) data, closed-circuit television video and software generated reports to provide comprehensive analysis and designs. The final design solution included epoxy coating the interior of manholes and rehabilitating 18- to 42-inch sewer lines using ultraviolet (UV) light cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP), a process that requires minimal water, which is a vital resource for Guam. The improvements renew the structural integrity of the sewer system, maintaining conveyance and protecting Guam’s groundwater supply.
This project is a continuation of Gresham Smith’s partnership with Guam Waterworks Authority. The firm previously designed the Agat-Santa Rita Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is complete and has been fully operational for over a year. The firm also served as the overall design manager for upgrade and expansion to the Northern District Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is currently under construction. These projects are in partnership with local Guam consulting firm, Duenas, Camacho and Associates.