We provided design and construction engineering services for installation of a private sewer collection system in a private neighborhood to eliminate failing septic systems. The project included a grinder pump unit for each residence with a small diameter forced discharge to the adjacent public municipal sewer system. Directional drilling was used to install the majority of the system, keeping disruption to a minimum.

We provided design and construction engineering services for development of a 10.5-acre, 1,200 space, paved parking lot. The engineering design was fast-tracked in order meet the Owner’s schedule for annual plant maintenance shut-down. The project site was unusual in that it involved significant earthwork, with an estimated 82,000 cubic yards requiring relocation. Several “Green” amenities were introduced into the design including shuttle bus stations, landscape features, energy efficient lighting and electric car charging stations. Extreme care had to be observed in the design process in order to account for the special design and construction specifications, and procedures inherent to building within the boundaries of a nuclear energy generating plant.

Benton Charter Township is located in Southwestern Michigan and has a population of approximately 15,000. The Township is home to a variety of land uses, including residential, agribusinesses, highway retail, shopping centers, light industrial and manufacturing (tool and die shops, mold makers, auto industry suppliers, among others) and medium to large corporations (Whirlpool Corporation, Gast Manufacturing, Inc., Atlantic Automotive Components). Since the early 1960’s the Township purchased its drinking water from the City of Benton Harbor, establishing a formal agreement in 1968. Service was provided through a system of interconnecting water mains along the common border of the two municipalities.

The Township eventually became the consumer of 40-50% of the water produced by the City. At that point, efforts were made to establish a shared ownership or joint authority to oversee the water supply. When those efforts failed, the Township determined the best course of action for their water customers was to construct the Township’s own water plant.

In August of 2009, Benton Charter Township contracted with our firm to design and oversee construction of a three million gallon per day (MGD) water treatment plant and appurtenant system improvements. We developed plans for a state-of-art micro-filtration treatment system, housed in a 10,000 square foot building. The building would allow immediate expansion to eight MGD and a future capacity of 12 MGD with building expansion.

Additional system improvements include two major transmission lines (16-inch and 20-inch diameters) totaling 7,400 feet; over six miles of miscellaneous sized pipe lines along the municipal border to facilitate separation from the City system; over 4,000 feet of 36-inch raw water intake pipe extending into Lake Michigan; a raw water pumping station; a new 1.0 million gallon finished water storage reservoir; improvements to an existing booster station and an existing 4.0 million gallon stand pipe and booster station.

From the August 2009 start, we completed all field work, designed the improvements, applied for and received 16 federal, state and local permits, bid and awarded 13 construction contracts, all in approximately 11 months. The first ground was broken in September 2010. Residents began drinking Benton Charter Township produced water in mid-October 2011.

Lake Michigan Intake and Raw Water Pump Station Provided Unique Challenges

Special construction methods and issues faced in this project included a 3,300 foot, directionally drilled, 18-inch diameter polyethylene pipe under the environmentally sensitive Paw Paw River and adjoining wetlands; a concrete 20 foot diameter, 50 foot-deep shorewell constructed in five foot vertical sections poured from the top down; converting an existing 4 million gallon storage tank to act as an elevated storage facility, and installing 4,000 feet of intake pipe while working around the usual Spring perch spawning season and the usual wind and waves found on Lake Michigan.

The project was completed for approximately $22 million. In comparison to other recently built plants in Michigan, the Benton Charter Township Water Plant and other system improvements were constructed at a most reasonable cost.

As always, the success of a project of this nature depends on the teamwork of many. Our team included Brooks Architectural and Fujawa Structural Engineering, as well as the Benton Charter Township Board of Trustees, Comptroller, Attorney and Chief Building Official and the Berrien County Board of Public Works. We would also like to thank the residents of Benton Charter Township for their support.

Project Description: We provided design and construction engineering services for replacement of existing municipal watermains along Gast Road and Shawnee Road. The project included over 1.5 miles of 16-inch diameter watermain, replacing smaller watermains, in two construction contracts. Existing water service was maintained to residential and commercial customers throughout the project, which improved system capacity and reliability.

Project Description: We provided civil engineering services for design and construction of a three story building in South Haven Township. We helped with construction administration, topographical survey, and construction staking of the project. The storm water management system for the project utilized infiltration into an existing wetland with an overflow to an existing detention basin. Permitting through the Michigan DEQ was required for this project.

Project Description: We provided civil engineering services for design and construction of a subdivision in South Haven Township. We helped with construction administration, topographical survey, and construction staking of the project. The storm water management system for the project utilized infiltration into an existing wetland with an overflow to Deerlick Creek. The storm water system also utilized infiltration along the roadway in rain gardens before entering the wetland. Permitting through the Michigan DEQ was required for this project.

Project Description: Assisted South Haven Township with the purchase of property to create a park on Lake Michigan. We designed paved parking, 500 feet of walking paths and several scenic overlooks to Lake Michigan and Deerlick Creek. We helped obtain funding, provided construction administration, construction staking of project, and helped the Township obtain site plan approval. The storm drainage runoff was designed to filter through an existing wetland before entering Deerlick Creek.

Project Description: We provided civil engineering to evaluate the existing storm system, identify all deficiencies and design a new outlet to the existing subdivision in Casco Township. We helped with construction administration, topographical survey, and construction staking of project. The storm water management system for the project utilized a storm drainage system with an outlet to Lake Michigan. The existing outlet pipe had previously failed and two new pipes were installed by directional boring along with other repairs to the system.