In 2004, in anticipation of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Consent Decree, the Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) was faced with the need for a wastewater collection system improvement program to reduce the occurrence of sanitary sewer overflows, increase wastewater collection system capacity, and improve surface water quality in Knoxville.
In order to reduce the occurrence of Knoxville’s sewer system overflows, Gresham Smith joined KUB’s PACE 10 Program to provide project management, design and construction phase services for six wastewater equalization basins. The basins are a key component of the 10-year, $530 million overflow reduction program, and range in size from 3.25 to 9.0 mg. Gresham Smith provided overall project management and site suitability studies on each site and has played a major role in the conceptual and final designs of all six basins.
The basins, at an approximate cost of $83 million, were designed and constructed on an expedited project schedule. Each equalization basin includes a circular or rectangular reinforced concrete basin, pumping station using submersible pumps, flow diversion structure, odor control systems designed for intermittent operation, and grinder screens. Additional details include:
Upper First Creek Basin
Basin Size: 9.0 mg rectangular below grade cast-in-place concrete basin
Pump Station: 14.0 mgd
Operation: Combination gravity and pump fill and drain
Lower First Creek Basin
Lower First Creek Basin
Basin Size: 5.0 mg, above grade circular pre-stressed concrete basin
Pump Station: 14.0 mgd
Operation: Pump to fill and gravity drain
Fourth Creek/Walker Springs Basin
Fourth Creek/Walker Springs Basin
Basin Size: 3.25 mg above grade circular pre-stressed concrete basin
Pump Station: 15.0 mgd
Operation: Pump to fill and gravity drain
Third Creek Basin
Basin Size: 4.0 mg above grade circular pre-stressed concrete basin
Pump Station: 6.0 mgd
Operation: Pump to fill and gravity drain
Second Creek Basin
Basin Size: 5.5 mg below grade basin, pre-stressed concrete basin
Pump Station: 25-mgd
Operation: Combination gravity and pump fill and drain
Lower Third Creek Basin
Basin Size: 6.5 mg partially above grade basin, cast-in-place
Pump Station: 30-mgd
Operation: Pump to fill and gravity drain