WAUKESHA BOOSTER PUMPING STATION Project Completion Celebration | Ribbon Cutting CONSTRUCTION EVENT from Beneath the Hard Hat® by Tracy Lisowe | 10.26.2023
September 7, 2023, was a landmark day as Waukesha, Wisconsin completed its transition to Lake Michigan water.
A REASON TO CELEBRATE: The Great Water Alliance project for switching the city's groundwater was the biggest capital project in Waukesha's history. The ribbon-cutting event marked a significant milestone with deep meaning that went beyond project completion.
THE BACKSTORY: The transition ended a long-standing reliance on a deep water aquifer for the city's water supply. The reason behind this shift was radium contamination which made the water unsafe for consumption.
THE BIG PICTURE: The project included two 8.6-million-gallon reservoirs and a new 1-million-gallon composite elevated water tower approximately 160 feet tall. Concrete applications were critical.
BY THE NUMBERS:
- 9,500 cubic yards were poured to complete the facility.
- SLAB POURS | Two pumps placed 800 cubic yards of 4,000-psi mix with a high-range water reducer to meet an aggressive schedule.
- PANEL POURS | A 5,000-psi mix included high and mid-range water reducers to pump over 300 cast-in-place panels for the domed reservoirs. The panel pours were difficult because a .35 water/cement ratio could not be exceeded.
- PANEL ENCAPSULATION | A 7-bag shotcrete pea gravel mix with a high-range water reducer was pumped through a 2-inch hose. Additional additives were used to increase the slump to 9 inches to encapsulate the panels.
BEHIND THE STORY: Aside from concrete applications, the switch to Lake Michigan water was no small feat.
- APPROVALS + AGREEMENTS | Waukesha had to navigate a complex web of approvals, gaining consent from all eight Great Lakes states, as well as Ontario and Quebec. Once the necessary approvals were secured, Waukesha established an agreement with the city of Milwaukee to facilitate the transportation of water via a newly constructed 36-mile pipeline system.
- MONITORING AND MEASURING WHAT MATTERS | The entire process involved meticulous planning and coordination. The city set up monitoring systems to ensure the quality of the incoming Lake Michigan water. This involved tracking key indicators such as pH levels that affect the effectiveness of disinfectants and the taste of the water to guarantee it met the necessary standards.
HOW IT WENT: The transition, which was completed on October 24, 2023, was smoother than anticipated, with minimal disruptions to water service. The Waukesha Water Utility recommended a few key tips for residents which included replacing aerators and filters and optimizing water softeners if used.
HOW IT'S GOING: Residents' opinions on the new water source have been mixed. While some found the taste to be different, the water is safe to drink and most residents are satisfied with the taste and quality of the water.
THE BOTTOM LINE: The transition to Lake Michigan water was a success. The city now has a safe and sustainable water supply for generations to come.
New Waukesha water a 'whole lot better' and 'far superior' to old supply, some say | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 10.25.2023
New Waukesha water a 'whole lot better' and 'far superior' to old supply, some say | Yahoo News 10.25.2023
Waukesha water transition completed ahead of schedule | WTMJ 10.24.2023
Waukesha's water transition reaches 90% goal as residents get first taste of Lake Michigan | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 10.17.2023
Waukesha residents get first taste of new Lake Michigan water | WISN.com 10.10.2023
Drinking water from Lake Michigan has started to flow to customers in Waukesha | WUWM 89.7 FM 10.10.2023
Waukesha now supplying Lake Michigan water to its residents | Spectrum News 1 10.09.2023
Why Waukesha water will look red and have a funny smell | TMJ4 News 10.09.2023
What to know about Waukesha's switch to Lake Michigan water Monday | WTMJ-TV Milwaukee 10.08.2023
Waukesha Water Switchover | Yahoo Finance WISN - Milwaukee Videos 10.08.2023
Interactive map will track Waukesha's switch to lake water | Daily Reporter 10.05.2023
Waukesha Launches Interactive Map to Watch Lake Michigan Water Transition that Starts Monday, October 9 | Focus Waukesha 10.04.2023
Waukesha Celebrates Completing Milwaukee Water Pipeline | Urban Milwaukee 09.07.2023
Lake Michigan water project to Waukesha now complete | FOX6 News Milwaukee 09.07.2023
VIDEO: Waukesha water ribbon-cutting ceremony | by gmtoday.com - Waukesha County: The Freeman 09.07.2023
On Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, the Waukesha Water Utility held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Waukesha booster pumping station to mark the city's transition to Lake Michigan water. Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly welcomed Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson to raise a toast to commemorate the event.
Waukesha Water Utility announces water transition to begin Oct. 9 | by gmtoday.com - Waukesha County: The Freeman 09.14.2023
Waukesha delays switch to Lake Michigan water until Oct. 9 | The Business Journals 09.14.2023
Milwaukee suburb Waukesha delays start of Lake Michigan water withdrawals to early October | Detroit Free Press 09.14.2023
Waukesha leaders raise a glass of Lake Michigan water ahead of massive water transition | WISN.com 09.07.2023
Waukesha is set to switch over to Lake Michigan water next week, making history in the process | CBS58.com 09.05.2023
$286M Lake Michigan to Waukesha pipeline project to be completed in September | Finance & Commerce 08.22.2023
Waukesha's upcoming water transition: Residents have questions, the city has answers | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 05.23.2023
Learn about the coming water supply transition this week | WisBusiness 05.04.2023
Waukesha’s new water source has important implications for businesses | BizTimes 04.18.2023
The Great Water Alliance project for switching Waukesha's groundwater to Lake Michigan water is the biggest capital project in the city's history.
Construction of the Waukesha Water Utility Booster Pumping Station in March was a significant milestone that showed visible progress, but a recent BizTimes article took a deeper look at some behind-the-scenes preparations.
A BIG DEAL FOR BUSINESSES: The City of Milwaukee treats its water differently than Waukesha. The same businesses that have helped champion getting water from Lake Michigan could be impacted by the different chemical composition. The city is keeping them informed so they know what they need to do to prepare for the water switch. Here're some examples of affected business types and how they're staying ahead of it:
» Because of how water chemistry affects beer glass and the brewing process, breweries are employing reverse osmosis water-treatment methods for reducing water to almost pure H20. By removing minerals and impurities, they start with a blank slate.
» Pet stores are prepared to dechlorinate water for fish aquariums, reptiles and some animals.
» Hospitals are anticipating the change in how it affects kidney dialysis.
WHAT THE WATER SWITCH WILL LOOK LIKE: It will take a week to ten days to empty reservoirs and water storage facilities and refill them with the new water from Milwaukee. In the end, the transition period and incremental water rate adjustments are a small price to pay for having a long-term water source.
Education and preparation are key. For more information and further updates on construction related to the project throughout the city of Waukesha, visit www.greatwateralliance.com.
A sustainable source of clean water for the next 100 to 200 years is a big win for the community. For more details on the business implications and what the transition will look like, click to the original BizTimes article linked here and below.
WRMCA CONCRETE DESIGN AWARDS | Wisconsin Ready Mixed Concrete Association 03.10.2023
The Great Water Alliance project switches Waukesha's water from groundwater to Lake Michigan water. It's the biggest capital project in the city's history and the Waukesha Water Utility Booster Pumping Station project is an important part of it.
THE BIG PICTURE: The project includes two 8.6-million-gallon reservoirs and a new 1-million-gallon composite elevated water tower approximately 160 feet tall. Concrete applications are critical.
BY THE NUMBERS:
- 9,500 cubic yards were poured to complete the facility.
- SLAB POURS | Two pumps placed 800 cubic yards of 4,000-psi mix with high-range water reducer to meet an aggressive schedule.
- PANEL POURS | A 5,000-psi mix included high and mid-range water reducers to pump over 300 cast-in-place panels for the domed reservoirs. The panel pours were difficult because a .35 water/cement ratio could not be exceeded.
- PANEL ENCAPSULATION | A 7-bag shotcrete pea gravel mix with a high-range water reducer was pumped through a 2-inch hose. Additional additives were used to increase the slump to 9 inches to encapsulate the panels.
The 41st Annual WRMCA Concrete Design Awards honors excellence in the use of ready-mixed concrete in Wisconsin. The Waukesha Water Utility Booster Pumping Station was recognized in the Municipal category. The project will ensure the residents of Waukesha County will receive an abundance of clean usable water.
Location: Waukesha
Owner: Waukesha Water Utility
Concrete Supplier: Riv/Crete Ready Mix
Architect/Engineer: Greeley and Hansen
Contractor: C.D. Smith Construction Inc.
Construction Manager: Black & Veatch
WAUKESHA BOOSTER PUMPING STATION GROUNDBREAKING CONSTRUCTION EVENT from Beneath the Hard Hat® by Molly Haack | 08.26.2021
On Thursday, August 26, 2021 government officials and business leaders gathered to celebrate the "final" construction contract for the infrastructure that will bring safe, sustainable Lake Michigan water to the people of Waukesha. Although construction began in 2020, restrictions due to COVID-19 kept us from adequately celebrating the momentous occasion.
Work is officially underway at the booster pumping station site in Waukesha where the groundbreaking ceremony was held. The Waukesha Booster Pumping Station project involves installing a new pump complex, elevated water storage tank and two large ground-level water storage tanks for holding more than 18 million gallons of water. This project allows for Waukesha to purchase and use Lake Michigan water from the city of Milwaukee. After treatment, at least the equivalent amount of water used will be returned to the lake via the Root River. It's the final one of six construction packages and marks an important milestone for the Great Water Alliance.
WRMCA CONCRETE DESIGN AWARDS | Wisconsin Ready Mixed Concrete Association 03.10.2023
The nearly completed Waukesha Water Utility Booster facility illustrates the importance of using concrete. The project includes two 8.6-million-gallon reservoirs and a new 1-million-gallon composite elevated water tower approximately 160 feet tall.
Due to an aggressive schedule, the contractor utilized 2 pumps to place 800 cubic yards of a 4,000-psi mix that included a high-range water reducer for the slabs.
A 5,000-psi mix included high and mid-range water reducers to pump over 300 cast-in-place panels that encompassed the domed reservoirs. The panel pours were difficult due to the fact that a .35 water/cement ratio could not be exceeded.
Once panels were constructed, a 7-bag shotcrete pea gravel mix with a high-range water reducer was used. This mix presented a challenge because a 2-inch hose was used to pump the mix. Additional additives were used to increase the slump to 9 inches to encapsulate the panels.
9,500 cubic yards were poured to complete the facility. The project will ensure the residents of Waukesha County will receive an abundance of clean usable water.
Location: Waukesha
Owner: Waukesha Water Utility
Concrete Supplier: Riv/Crete Ready Mix
Architect/Engineer: Greelye and Hansen
Contractor: C.D. Smith Construction Inc.
Construction Manager: Black & Veatch
BALDWIN VISITS GREAT WATER ALLIANCE SITE | Waukesha water switch expected in late summer by gmtoday.com - Waukesha County: The Freeman | Oconomowoc Enterprise 01.18.2023
WAUKESHA — As the Great Water Alliance enters the final year of its project to switch Waukesha’s water from groundwater to Lake Michigan water, Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin took a tour of the construction site Tuesday to see progress on the construction firsthand.
Baldwin, along with Mayor Shawn Reilly, toured the site including the new water tower and two ground-level storage tanks that will hold 8.6 million gallons of water each.
These parts of the project have received...(Link to article.)
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CEMENT POURED FOR BOOSTER PUMPING STATION by The Freeman 02.16.2022
WAUKESHA — Cement was poured Thursday at the new booster pumping station site as part of the Great Water Alliance project, which will bring Lake Michigan water to the city of Waukesha.
The Waukesha Water Utility notified the public that the large concrete pour was taking place at 2010 E. Broadway, which resulted in construction crews operating concrete trucks, telehandler forklifts and cranes. Greater than normal truck traffic also was accessing the construction site, and typical construction noise and lights began prior to 7 a.m.
The work and project are for a long-term, sustain-able alternative to its existing water supply, and the Great Water Alliance program includes the infras-tructure to make that a reality by carrying fresh water sourced from Lake Michigan to Waukesha and returning the same amount – in the form of treated, clean water –using the Root River tributary.
Program construction is expected to be completed in 2023.
For more information and further updates on construction related to the project throughout the city of Waukesha, visit www.greatwateralliance.com.
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USING GREAT LAKES WATER THE RIGHT WAY by greatwateralliance.com
In June of 2016, the Great Lakes Compact Council unanimously approved Waukesha’s application to source water from Lake Michigan and return the same amount used via the Root River.
Now, as the Great Water Alliance works to create a safe and sustainable supply of clean drinking water for Waukesha, we pledge to keep the citizens and communities who will be affected fully informed.
This site is intended not only to educate, but to inspire. We welcome your feedback and we welcome you to the journey. (Link to article.)
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GREAT WATER ALLIANCE NEWSROOM by greatwateralliance.com
For ongoing information on the project since its beginnings, go to their newsroom to access the most current posts back to when it first started making news.
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OFFICIALS BREAK GROUND FOR WAUKESHA BOOSTER PUMPING STATIONS by gmtoday.com | 08.27.2021
WAUKESHA—Government officials and business leaders gathered Thursday afternoon for a groundbreaking at the Waukesha booster pumping station site Thursday, which is part of the Great Water Alliance project that will bring Lake Michigan water to the city.
The project will allow for a new water supply from Lake Michigan to be piped from Milwaukee Water Works to Waukesha. After use and treatment, the water will be returned to the lake via the Root River.
Speakers at the groundbreaking event Thursday afternoon included....(Link to article.)
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WAUKESHA OFFICIALS HOLD GROUNDBREAKING FOR BOOSTER PUMPING STATION by conleymedia on YouTube | 08.26.2021
WAUKESHA - Government officials and business leaders gathered Thursday afternoon for a groundbreaking at the Waukesha booster pumping station site Thursday, part of the Waukesha water project.
The booster pump station is part of the project dubbed the Great Water Alliance. The project will allow for Lake Michigan water to be piped from... (Link to watch the video and read the full description on YouTube.)
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WAUKESHA GAINS FINAL GO-AHEAD TO TAP LAKE MICHIGAN WATER ONCE $286M PROJECT COMPLETED by Milwaukee Business Journal | 06.30.2021
After securing more than 80 different permits for its $286 million Lake Michigan water supply system, Waukesha on Wednesday gained final state approval to open the spigots once construction is complete in 2023.
“We still have a long road left with construction, said Waukesha Water Utility general manager Dan Duchniak. “We are about one-third of the way done and there’s a total of 36 miles of pipeline.”
The permit finalized Wednesday by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources marks a...(Link to article.)
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WAUKESHA WATER'S $286M PIPELINE MEETS FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS by Construction Equipment Guide | 03.03.2021
Construction crews in Wisconsin are working on a $286 million project that's designed to provide safe, sustainable and reliable water for years to come. The city of Waukesha is under a court order to be in full compliance with federal drinking water standards for radium by September 2023.
"Waukesha's current primary water source is a confined deep aquifer," said Waukesha Water Utility General Manager Daniel Duchniak. "The aquifer is severely drawn down, due to years of use in southeastern Wisconsin. Recharge of the aquifer is limited by the shale confining layer, making long-term reliance unsustainable. Also, as aquifer levels have declined, the levels of natural contaminants such as radium have increased.
"Waukesha is outside of the Great Lakes basin, but is in a county that straddles the basin divide, meaning the city was eligible to apply to use Great Lakes water if it met a number of strict...(Link to article.)
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