Beltz Well No. 12 Treatment Plant and Site Improvements

We prepared the design and performed construction oversight for the potable groundwater treatment plant in the City of Santa Cruz. Treatment involved modern filtration systems for the removal of high levels of iron and manganese that exist in the natural groundwater environment.

An initial design basis evaluated filter options and considered the chemical oxidation requirements given the natural raw water pH and the presence of competing analytes such as ammonia. The design basis considered the features specific to the operation of a filter plant that feeds directly into the potable distribution system. The filter plant utilizes the groundwater well pump to supply the routine filter cleaning cycles (i.e., backwash) to reduce impacts on the water distribution system. Controls and provisions are in place for expansion into a centralized water treatment plant.

For a client keen on water conservation, our design incorporates the recycling of backwash water, as well as the recapturing and use of flush-to-waste and analyzer sample streams. Dual welded steel tanks provide for operator flexibility and capturing of the waste streams for potable recycle. We incorporated custom building design and implementation of onsite chlorine generation that avoid hazardous conditions and provide ease of operation.

In an area prone to stormwater drainage issues, our design provides for modern stormwater management with porous pavement, subsurface infiltration and stormwater swales. Production capacity of the plant is 500 gpm with a deep-set submersible pump on a 75-horsepower variable frequency drive.

Significant Project Elements

• Incorporation of flexible operational features for various treatment modes
• Provisions for future expansion and site considerations for maintenance and access
• Site design that blends with the surrounding neighborhood aesthetics and captures all stormwater runoff
• Considered complex water quality constituents
• Innovative design for zero-waste water from a modern filter plant