Client
Charter Township of Washington
Services
Civil Engineering
Surveying
Completion Date
2017
Washington Township, Michigan
Giffels Webster designed and performed construction engineering services for the new 1.5-million-gallon water storage tank, pump house, existing booster station modifications, and associated SCADA system improvements.
The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) provides wholesale drinking water to the Charter Township of Washington who then distributes and sells it to over 6,000 domestic, agricultural, commercial, and industrial customers. Due to the long distance and elevation difference from the GLWA sources, Washington Township was charged a higher wholesale rate than much of the customer class. Giffels Webster performed a detailed water reliability study within the Township to have an accurate calibrated computer model of the Township’s existing system, and to allow for projections in the future. Using this information, we were able to recommend a ground storage tank be constructed to even out demands and lower rates for their direct customers. By filling the tank each night during off peak hours, the Township avoided penalties of exceeding peak hour demand directly from GLWA, and distributes water directly from the tank during those peak times during the day.
Location, type of structure, and coordination with GLWA were critical for this project to reduce up front as well as future costs. The WaterCAD model forecasted future demand to determine the capacity of the tank to meet present and future needs. The Township chose a ground storage tank to better integrate this infrastructure into the surrounding neighborhood.