CDM completes construction on Fla. water treatment plant

• Design-build project provides potable water while preserving area wetlands and fresh groundwater resources

JACKSONVILLE, FL, Nov. 27, 2007 -- CDM recently completed construction on water treatment plant improvements for St. Johns County, Florida. CDM provided engineering, design, permitting, bidding, and construction services as part of an integrated design-build contract with the county that will provide potable water for generations to come and protect the area's delicate wetlands.

The new low pressure reverse osmosis water treatment plant, which has the capacity to produce up to 8 million gallons per day (mgd), replaces the existing CR214 lime-softening plant. This new plant incorporates membrane technology and is capable of treating brackish water as an alternative to the fresh groundwater supplies that are the focus of regional resource management and conservation efforts. CDM also designed and constructed 13,500 linear feet of 36-inch diameter raw water main and four new supply wells that draw brackish water from the Upper Floridan Aquifer. Without interrupting service, CDM designed and built a new electrical building, and rehabilitated the existing high service pump station.

In addition, CDM was responsible for the design and construction of the membrane treatment facilities, including of cartridge filters, an acid-injection system, membrane feed pumps, two 2-mgd membrane treatment skids, degassifiers, and concentrate storage and pumping facilities.

The water treatment plant improvements take advantage of the area's abundant brackish water and treat it to high standards to provide drinking water for the residents of St. Johns County while protecting the area's delicate wetlands systems and fresh groundwater resources.

CDM is a consulting, engineering, construction, and operations firm helping public and private clients worldwide.

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