MSU owns and operates its own water supply system, and retained to identify future water supply well sites. The analysis was conducted using a groundwater flow model and GIS-based approach. Data was compiled into a single GIS spatial database map for evaluation. The evaluation identified the most favorable locations for future water supply well sites.
Two supply well sites were selected for installing and testing Type I water supply wells, the most recent in 2015. Fishbeck conducted hydrogeological studies for the Type I water supply wells, which included test borings, aquifer testing, water quality evaluations, large quantity withdrawal evaluations, and permitting. Also, the groundwater flow and transport model was used to delineate wellhead protection areas for all MSU supply wells and evaluate well field drawdown.
Fishbeck also conducted a formal site selection process for a new elevated storage tank and water treatment plant that identified five potential campus sites.
A detailed matrix considered 15 parameters, including cost, future expansion, service access, supporting utility access, aesthetics, and master plan compatibility. Multiple stakeholder meetings were conducted to narrow the selection to two sites. The elevated storage tank and water treatment plant were then modeled in 3D, and fly-through videos were developed using Google Earth to aid stakeholders in site selection. The same process was later used to identify the design and placement of the elevated storage tank logos. This site selection process engaged stakeholders, allowed them to voice their concerns, and ultimately resulted in a consensus of how to move forward.
The elevated storage tank evaluation considered tank location, storage volume, and operating levels. Hydraulic modeling determined the resulting system pressures at average and maximum day demand conditions, and the available fire flow. Costs were developed for the various size and types of tanks. Ultimately, a 2-MG composite elevated storage tank was selected and designed. The tank will be constructed on an auger-cast pile sub-foundation, due to inadequate soil bearing capacity onsite. An iron filtration facility was also designed as part of the project, which has a treatment capacity of 7 MGD. Provisions were included to allow for expanding the facility to 8.8 MGD, simply by adding one additional horizontal pressure filter. The facility also includes a hydrous manganese oxide feed system for radium removal. The 11,600-sf water treatment facility includes process areas, chemical storage rooms, a laboratory and control room, maintenance workshop, and administration spaces.
