March 2016
Construction Milestone Achieved with Grand Opening of MWRD Disinfection Facilities
SKOKIE, IL - The opening of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Disinfection Facilities at the Terrence O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant, is one step closer in making the Chicago River considerably cleaner. The announcement of the disinfection facility was held at a ribbon-cutting ceremony where Walsh Construction, the MWRD Board of Commissioners, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen and numerous local leaders marked this momentous advancement in cleaner waterways.
Sen. Dick Durbin recognized the Chicago River's muddy history but praised the new disinfection effort. “Today, we make a major step forward to reverse that trend and protect the valuable resource of the Chicago River.” Durbin said.
The new $60 million UV disinfection facility serves more than 1.3 million people within 143 square miles. According to MWRD, the system is considered the largest wastewater treatment UV installation in the world, with the potential to treat 450 million gallons of water per day, using 896 lamps that provide a low pressure, high output (LPHO) performance. Just in time for summer river recreation, the new disinfection technology is bringing the Chicago region one step closer to direct contact of the local waterways.
Walsh was the general contractor on the project, constructing the new UV Disinfection Building consisting of seven UV disinfection channels with two Trojan UV unites per channel and the construction of a new Process Water Pump Station, Sodium Hypochlorite Storage Building, and new Primary Switchgear Building. Additional work included complete yard piping and tie-ins, electrical distribution tie-ins, control system upgrades, complete paving, landscaping and other site improvements.
Duane Petersen, Program Manager for Walsh Construction said, “This facility will directly contribute to making the Chicago River system a clean, recreational, economic and natural resource for millions of residents and visitors.”
Ranked as the nation’s third largest Wastewater Treatment Plant Builder by Engineering-News Record, Walsh is currently constructing other high-profile projects including the Southern Delivery System - Water Pump Stations in Colorado Springs, and the $290 million Enhanced Nutrient Removal Process at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant in Baltimore, MD.
Walsh Construction is a member of The Walsh Group, a 118-year old family-owned company providing design, build, finance and operation services. The Walsh Group operates across 19 regional offices, and is listed as the 13th largest U.S. national contractor per Engineering News-Record.