January 2017 Vol. 72 No. 1
Business
Houston To Build Massive Northeast Transmission Waterline
The city of Houston is building the 16.5-mile Northeast Transmission Waterline as part of its Surface Water Transmission Program (SWTP) to meet the region’s projected 2040 water demand. Ultimately, the waterline will provide up to 96 million gallons per day (MGD) to the city and 269 MGD to local water authorities – enough to serve approximately 900,000 homes. It will also provide additional water to Bush Intercontinental Airport, the Greater Greenspoint Area, and surrounding areas currently receiving water from the existing 66-inch waterline extending along the Greens Road corridor.
Comprising 11 segments of large-diameter pipe varying from 108-120 inches, the waterline will be built in three phases. Planning, engineering and program management firm Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc. (LAN) designed two of the segments, program managed a third segment and will be program manager for the remaining segments of the waterline.
In 1985, the city created the SWTP in response to a mandate issued by the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District. The goals of the program are to increase surface water usage, decommission and minimize the use of groundwater pump stations, increase water system pressures, and address other large diameter waterline issues. As part of meeting these goals, the city is constructing the northeast waterline.
Waterline interconnects will be constructed between the northeast transmission waterline and the existing 66-inch waterline at multiple locations to provide emergency connections. The emergency connections may be used in the future to provide a backup for both the existing and new waterlines if a shutdown is required for repairs or condition assessment.
Comments