Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) announced that the University Area Joint Authority (UAJA) Beneficial Reuse project has received national recognition through the Engineering Excellence Awards competition sponsored by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). This innovative wastewater treatment design, which is the largest operational water reuse project of its kind in the northeastern U.S., was one of just 16 projects from around the globe to receive honor awards.
The annual ACEC Engineering Excellence Awards competition accepts entries for projects in operation anywhere in the world and only grants a maximum of 24 awards. Projects from are rated on the basis of uniqueness and originality; future value to the engineering profession and perception by the public; social, economic and sustainable development considerations; complexity; and successful fulfillment of client/owner’s needs, including schedule and budget, according to HRG.
Representatives from HRG and UAJA were presented with the 2006 Engineering Excellence Honor Award at a black-tie gala at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C. on May 2, 2006. HRG’s president Robert Grubic stated, “The HRG engineering team did an outstanding job creating innovative solutions that increased wastewater treatment capacity and protected a vulnerable world-class trout fishery. All those involved with the success of this unique project deserve this national recognition.”
HRG, serving as the lead engineering and project management firm, designed an environmentally sensitive solution to a large-scale wastewater treatment challenge. This water reuse system provides additional wastewater treatment capacity to meet the future needs of the growing Centre Region of Pennsylvania while preserving Spring Creek, a high-quality trout fishery.
The project involved expanding a 6-mgd wastewater treatment plant to 10.4 mgd with the addition of a biological nutrient removal (BNR) treatment system to remove nitrogen and phosphorus. In addition, an advanced water treatment system was built to recycle a portion of the treated wastewater flow prior to discharge and produce up to 3 mgd of recycled potable-grade water. This recycled water can be utilized by area manufacturers, to supply fire hydrants, by local farmers and golf courses for irrigation, and for groundwater recharge.
Source: HRG