Newtown Creek Water Pollution Control Plant

Brief Overview

Newtown Creek WPCP, the largest of the 14 wastewater treatment plants in New York City, is undergoing a $493,000,000 project to expand and upgrade its intended capacity from 1.2 million to 1.8 million cubic meters per day, a 50% increase. The quality of the treatment will also be improved by expanding from 16 treatment areas to 24 areas which in turn increases the removal of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) from 60 to 85%. The upgrade will bring New York City into compliance with the Clean Water Act.

This project will involve building a new North Battery of 8 Aeration / Sedimentation Tanks with a new corresponding Grit Gallery, demolishing and reconstructing 4 Aeration / Sedimentation / Grit Tanks in the Central Battery, and modifying the remaining 4Aeration / Sedimentation / Grit Tanks in the Central Battery and 8 Aeration / Sedimentation / Grit Tanks in the South Battery. These tanks will extend over an area of around 28,000m² and require over 60,000m³ of concrete for their construction.

A new North Control Building will contain equipment for processing the new, modified, and reconstructed tanks in the North, Central, and South Battery’s. Modifications will have to be made to a number of pre-existing elements as well as extensive integration of old and new plant components shall be carried out.

New 96” Concrete encase steel pipes will direct sewage from the reconstructed Manhattan Uptake Shaft to the new splitter box, which will then distribute influent to the tanks by the means of a new 60” concrete encased steel pipe.

Nine new process air blowers will be procured and installed in the existing main building and a program of associated utility work, including an extensive electrical system upgrade, shall be undertaken.

Air for the 24 aeration tanks will be provided by 9 new Process Air Blowers which will be installed in the existing Main Building. The air will be distributed by means of a 84” and an 96” stainless steel pipe on new support towers.

An upgraded odor control system with new aluminum tank covers will be installed to ensure cleaner air for the surrounding communities.

The project team is limited to removing from service only 2 of the existing tanks at one time. Since there are 5 intermediate milestones with a Consent Decree of February 2008, that enhances the factor that time has on the project. Therefore scheduling material and equipment deliveries are paramount for completing this project on time.