Saratoga County

Delaware Engineering has been responsible for the permitting, design and construction of several water system improvement projects on behalf of the Saratoga County Water Authority (SCWA)

The SCWA Water Treatment Plant filters water from the Hudson River to serve many Towns and Villages within Saratoga County.  Due to long travel times in the water system, disinfection by-products have historically been a problem. In 2015, Delaware Engineering successfully completed water treatment improvement measures at the facility including the addition of granular activated carbon (GAC) and process performance measures to reduce disinfection by-products.

A related SCWA project involved permitting and construction of a pipeline and SPDES outfall to the Hudson River to dispose of filter backwash and decrease the recirculation of water within the water treatment plant.

In 2019, Delaware was hired to design and oversee the construction of a Phase II expansion of the water treatment facility to include two additional membrane racks that would increase plant capacity to 18 MGD and upgrades to the pump station.  The most recent planned upgrades include construction of an additional sludge lagoon and a dewatered sludge storage area.

2015 WTP Upgrade:     $3.9 million

SPDES Outfall Cost:      $0.9 million

2019 WTP Upgrade:     $7.9 million

2021 Sludge Lagoon:  $4.1 million

Facility Capacity:        18 MGD

Town of Liberty

Delaware Engineering, D.P.C. prepared an Engineering Report and helped secure project funding for a comprehensive upgrade to the Stevensville Water District infrastructure through the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (NYSEFC) Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF).  The Town received a $2M grant and will finance the remainder of the $3.5M project with a low interest loan.

The upgrade project will include the following:

• Replacement of up to 2,000 lineal feet of aged cast iron water main (including a 500 lineal foot section of boring along Briscoe Road and 100 lineal feet above ground crossing of Swan Lake);
• Construction of a new 500,000-gallon concrete water storage tank;
• Replacement of the existing well pump and motor;
• New radio control system for the wells;
• Installation of a new back-up power supply for the treatment/pump house.

Delaware was retained to assist the Town with implementation of the project, from design and permitting through construction.  The project requires regulatory review and approval by NYSDOT, NYSDOH, Sullivan County DPW, and NYSDEC.

Construction of the storage tank was completed in late 2020, and design for the final phases of the project is nearly complete. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2021.

Town of Hancock

Delaware Engineering, D.P.C. has provided planning, design, and construction administration services for improvements to the Town’s public water supply system for the past five years.  The Town’s water system has been in place for over 50 years, originating under the ownership of East Branch Valley Inc.  A new water district was created for the Town to take over operation and ownership of the water system. 

Between 2017 and 2019, Delaware Engineering assisted the Town in securing 3 CDBG Grants funding assistance for a total of approximately $2M.  The improvements project was split into three phases, 2 of which have been completed with the third approaching bid.

Delaware Engineering was retained to prepare a Preliminary Engineering Report and provide assistance securing financing for the Phase 1 construction of a new well/water treatment building to replace the existing springs and installation of 3,000 feet of transmission main between the well and the existing distribution system.  Phase 2 consisted of approximately 3,100 feet of transmission main, 15 Service connections and relining the water reservoir.

In Phase 3, Delaware proposed replacement of 3,200 feet of transmission main along with a new standby electrical generator and a backup water well to satisfy DOH requirements.

Village of Franklin

Delaware Engineering, D.P.C. has been provided planning, design, and construction administration services for improvements to the Village’s public water supply system since 2009.  The Village’s water system dates back to 1881 and was originally sourced from two springs located outside of the Village, which have since been replaced by wells.

In 2013, Delaware Engineering helped the Village secure USDA-RD and NYS EFC DWSRF funding assistance for a $2.4M project that completed upgrades to the source, including installing two new wells, treatment upgrades with backup power and replacement of 10,500 linear feet of water main.  The Village received a $1.4 million grant from USDA and a $972,326 grant from EFC.  The remaining costs were financed with a thirty-year no interest loan.

In 2019, Delaware Engineering was retained to prepare a Preliminary Engineering Report and provide assistance securing financing for the replacement of the existing water storage reservoir that dates back to 1890, when the water system was first established.

Delaware proposed a new 125,000-gallon, glass-lined steel aboveground tank to replace the existing reservoir at a cost of approximately $826,500. The tank will be constructed adjacent to the existing reservoir on land owned by the Village. 

Village of Millbrook

Project Cost:
$1.9 million

The Village of Millbrook, located in Dutchess County, New York, owns and maintains a Public Water Supply and distribution system that delivers potable water to approximately 1,400 customers within the Village of Millbrook and the Town of Washington. The Village PWS provides potable water by a series of infiltration galleries installed within a gravel aquifer adjacent to Shaw Brook and Mill Brook. The system was constructed in the 1930s, with minor changes to the design over the years. In 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR) to improve control of microbial pathogens. The LT2ESWTR requires source water monitoring at public water systems (PWSs) that use surface water or ground water under the direct influence of surface water (GWUDI).

Based on microscopic particulate analysis (MPA) testing, it was determined that the source water from these infiltration galleries was under the direct biological influence of surface water (GWUDI). As a result, the Village retained Delaware Engineering to undertake a project to design and construct a new water filtration system that will provide the sufficient level of treatment required. This treatment facility will also address other existing deficiencies within the water supply, treatment, and storage system. The project is slated to begin construction in the 4^th quarter of 2019.

Also as a part of this improvement project, the Village’s 500,000-gallon water storage tank, which was also constructed in the 1930s, required sand blasting and recoating to protect and maintain the integrity of the steel. The Village retained Delaware Engineering to design and manage the rehabilitation of their finished water storage tank. This project was completed in the 2^nd quarter of 2019. 

The Village and Delaware Engineering were successful in acquiring grant monies through the NYS WIIA grant program and were awarded in excess of $1 million, as well as an additional $200,000 from Dutchess County.

City of Norwich

Project Cost:
$6.1 million

Facility Capacity:
1.2 MGD

In order to comply with new surface-water treatment standards, the City of Norwich needed to replace and decommission its more than 100-year-old pressure filter water treatment plant located more than a mile from the existing reservoirs. 

Delaware Engineering provided planning, a six-month micro-filtration pilot study, design, construction administration and on-site inspection services for a four prime contract project to construct a new 1.2 MGD Water Treatment Plant.  The new 52’x90’ pre-engineered steel building houses the below-slab tanks, vertical turbine pump systems for feed and backwash pumps, Pall Micro-filtration system, chemical feed systems, laboratory, and an inclined plate settling system to treat the filter backwash waste.  Sludge from the plate settlers flows to a sludge storage tank, and the City then transports the waste solids to the City WWTP for disposal.  Treated waste flows to a post-aeration tank for final D.O. treatment. The new plant design includes electrical capacity and reserve area for future UV disinfection if required.

The City blends the treated reservoir water with well water on a daily basis to maintain a moderate hardness level.  

Delaware assisted the City with obtaining USDA-RD funding procurement, to obtain a $1 million grant and $4 million low-interest loan.

Project Cost:              $6.1 million

Facility Capacity:          1.2 MGD

Town of East Greenbush

Delaware Engineering recently assisted the Town of East Greenbush in the preparation of a Map, Plan & Report for the consolidation of the Hampton Manor and General Water Districts. Delaware originally prepared a Feasibility Study which analyzed the existing Hampton Manor water treatment, storage and distribution system and examined alternatives to correct for aging infrastructure and water quality aesthetics – District consolidation was identified as the preferred alternative.

The Map, Plan & Report identified the composition of the existing districts, including populations served, water sources and distribution systems, and water quality and pressure. The Report outlines recommended actions, including metered water use through the consolidated district, pressure control reduction, and water line repair and replacement throughout the Hampton Manor district.

In preparing the Map, Plan & Report, Delaware conducted rate analyses for the customers who would comprise the new consolidated water district, weighing the costs and benefits of numerous alternatives. Through this process, Delaware developed a new rate structure and supported the Town in its implementation. Delaware assisted the Town in conducting several public meetings regarding the new rate structure, and assisted in water district proceedings, supporting legal counsel with documentation for actions subject to Article 17-A of the General Municipal Law.

Mount Kisco

Project Cost:
$10 million

Mount Kisco, located in Westchester County, New York, owns and operates a water system serving 10,000 customers within the municipality and the adjacent towns of Bedford and New Castle. For approximately one mile along busy NYS Route 117 – a major thoroughfare for businesses and for commuters to New York City – Mount Kisco’s water main was a 10” asbestos cement pipe located under the highway. Due to health and safety concerns with continued use of this pipe, the Village decided to replace it, and thereby eliminate the last vestiges of asbestos cement pipe in the water system. As part of this project, in order to ensure that customers had a reliable source of potable water, the Village also chose to replace an adjacent 100-year-old cast-iron main with a history of breaks.

Mount Kisco hired Delaware Engineering to design the replacement of nearly 10,000 linear feet of main with 12” ductile iron water main. Using existing mapping combined with field surveys, Delaware created a 3D model of underground utilities in the area, including major gas, electric and telecommunications trunk lines in addition to sanitary and storm sewers.

For this traffic-heavy area, lined with major employers and serving as a main commuting artery, it was critical to map all utilities and identify potential conflicts, in order to avoid costly delays during construction. Further, to accommodate the public, the work was designed for nighttime construction.

The new water main, complete with main line valves, service valves, and fire hydrants, was installed while keeping the existing mains in service, and with minimal impact to the New York State road and the drivers who use it.

Delaware also assisted the Village with the SEQR process, bond resolutions, Department of Health approvals, WIIA grant applications, and DWSRF loan financing.

Town of Cairo

Project Costs:
$3.5 million

Facility Capacity:
300,000 GPD

Delaware Engineering began working with the Town of Cairo in 2008 to address limitations and maintenance issues with their water system. Initial efforts over several years focused on locating another well to expand their supply, but groundwater resources there are limited, and a well could not be developed.

In 2015, planning began for a more comprehensive series of improvements to address other problems with the water system. Based on this work, the Town was in a position in 2016 to take advantage of State and Federal funding initiatives, which will largely pay for more extensive improvements and expansion of the system. Cairo relied on surface water until the mid-1990s, when they began using well water rather than constructing a treatment plant to treat the reservoir water. The limited quantities of groundwater and its often poor quality make the development of additional well water sources very challenging. The option of reverting back to treated surface water is one alternative being considered.

The Cairo Water project includes:
 Comprehensive residential and commercial water metering to account for water, half of which is lost or unaccounted for.
 Hydrologic studies to identify likely water sources and assess the sustainable capacity of those sources.
 Developing additional shallow ground water or surface water supplies to supplement the single well that the entire community now relies on.
 Replacing the old, rusted and leaking water tank.
 Extending service to residential and commercial properties.
 Replacing old, deteriorated cast-iron water mains, hydrants and services which frequently experience significant leaks.

Village of Monroe

Project Cost:
$2.7 million

Facility Capacity:
1.0 MGD

Delaware Engineering began working with the Village of Monroe in 2007 to plan and implement a series of improvements to their water supply and distribution system. Significant residential and commercial growth in the Village had taxed the limits of the water supply on peak days in the summer, and frequent repairs of 100-year-old piping was becoming unaffordable. To address these problems, DE prepared a Water Master Plan to provide a framework within which the Village of Monroe could plan, fund and execute maintenance of existing water system infrastructure; extend the useful life of existing equipment; provide safe and adequate service to all customers; ensure that peak flows could be achieved; and consider the potential to sell increased volumes of water to neighboring communities. 

The Master Plan provided for a moderate increase in water rates to fund the improvements. The improvements ultimately included:

Mapping of the water distribution system, and inventory of pipe sizes, age and condition.

Hydrologic evaluation of the supply capacity of the Lake water supply to determine whether additional capacity was available.

Testing, permitting and development of a new water supply well.

Repairs to the transmission main between the Lake supply and the plant.

Construction of a new one-million-gallon tank and booster pump station with fire flow capacity.

Upgrade of SCADA based plant process controls; stand-by generator systems and electrical upgrades.

Replacement of the most aged water mains.

Construction of these improvements was carried out from 2012 to 2015.

Town of Windham

Delaware Engineering worked with the Town of Windham for over a decade to make improvements to the Town’s public water supply, treatment and distribution systems. As part of these ongoing improvement projects, Delaware upgraded and rehabilitated the Town’s reservoir and water supply wells and installed improved disinfection systems and a new automated telemetry system. The main 200,000 gallon reservoir was restored with a new concrete floor, sealed laid-stone walls and gunnite lining. The existing well house was replaced and the chlorine and control structure was enlarged and upgraded. New piping and valves were installed to connect the reservoir storage tank to the new water main on Mill Street. The wellhouse at the bus garage site was also replaced with a new structure featuring an improved chemical feed system. Telemetry and automatic controls were installed across the entire system; the main radio control unit was installed at the bus garage to monitor levels, flows, pump status, etc.  Delaware provided planning, permitting, funding procurement/admin, design and construction management services for the project which was partially funded by a $400,000 CDBG grant.

The reservoir and well improvements were a component of a larger distribution system project that involved the replacement and extension of 5.2 miles of water main. DWSRF co-funding of $474,000 was used to replace water lines concurrent with installation of sewer lines, and a NYSDOT reverse betterment project funded drainage and streetscape improvements.
In order to increase capacity during periods of peak demand and to provide the required redundancy, Delaware Engineering recently interconnected the Ski Windham water system with the Town of Windham water system. A radio telemetry system links both systems and provides communication and control. Delaware provided complete planning, permitting, funding procurement and administration, design and construction management services for the water system consolidation project which was completed in 2015.

In 2015, the Town entered into agreements private developers to extend its water south of the existing service area to accommodate new developments. The developers then extended water and turned over the infrastructure to the Town. The extensions provided redundant supplies to the Town and Ski Windham. The extension also opened up properties for development which had been held back for years due to the lack of adequate water supplies.

Mount Kisco

Project Costs:
$2.6 million

Facility Capacity:
2.0 MGD

Following the catastrophic failure of  the filter unit at the Village/Town of Mount Kisco’s water treatment plant, Delaware provided engineering services to the community that included:

• Determining the cause of the failure
• Submitting the damages for an insurance claim
• Evaluating the extent of the damage
• Determining the scope of work needed to replace the major treatment equipment.

Prior to Delaware’s involvement, because the problem with the unit could not be identified, the plant operated for 18 months with the damaged unit out of service.

Due to Delaware’s efforts, the insurance company agreed to cover the damages, and $1,800,000 in repairs were funded through claim proceeds.

Village of Liberty

Overall Cost
$1.4 Million

Facility Capacity
0.5 MG

Delaware Engineering worked closely with the Village of Liberty providing planning and engineering services for the replacement of the existing 500,000 gallon Revonah Hill water storage tank. The project involved an evaluation of the condition of the existing in-ground tank, coordination of the site survey and geotechnical review, site planning and engineering design a new pre-stressed concrete water tank. All work was completed while the existing storage tank remained in service.

Delaware prepared funding applications to assist the Village in financing the water tank project. The total budget of $1.4 million was financed with a USDA Rural Development funding package consisting of a $750,000 grant and $616,000 in loans. The project was substantially complete in October 2014.

Village of Coxsackie

Overall Cost
$5.2 Million

Facility Capacity
1.6 MG

Delaware Engineering provided engineering services to the Village of Coxsackie for upgrades to their water treatment and storage systems. The project involved replacement of ten-year-old 1.4 MGD surface water filtration plant and construction of a 1MG water storage tank. The existing water plant did not function as designed or meet water quality and flow requirements reliably. The new water plant is designed with roughing clarifiers and two stage DynaSand filters. The filtration system was completed and operational in August of 2011. Rehabilitation of the other facilities was completed in December 2012.

Village of Middleburgh

Overall Cost
$2.8 Million

Facility Capacity
400,000 GDP

Delaware Engineering was retained by the Village of Middleburgh to evaluate their existing water supply and distribution system and design the necessary improvements to increase water quality and pressure. The project was funded through a DWSRF grant/loan and included replacement of an old water tank with a new ½ million gallon storage tank and installation of a secondary back-up well and secure water main crossing under the Schoharie Creek. The water plant is located within the floodway, therefore flood resilient design was critical and HEC-RAS floodplain modeling was required. The existing well house was rebuilt and flood-proofed, and the well and storage tanks were automated to eliminate manual operations. Water was extended to homes with contaminated wells and unserved areas of the Village and old, undersized, and corroded water mains were replaced. The project was completed and operational by August 2006.