This case study explores how a sustainable water program was made with AGRU Piping Systems.
Context
In 2018, the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) launched the Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow (SWIFT) program to address the need for a sustainable long-term groundwater supply in the region. This multi-year, $2 billion project plans to divert highly treated wastewater from surrounding rivers to an additional advanced water treatment facility, supporting a sustainable solution for maintaining the Potomac Aquifer.
Early pilot projects and tests resulted in the production of one million gallons of SWIFT-treated water per day. With 150 million gallons sent to HRSD daily for treatment, planners aim to scale up SWIFT to handle 120 million gallons daily to be reintroduced to the aquifer.
Opportunities
The full-scale implementation of the SWIFT program requires transferring treated water to additional SWIFT facilities for advanced processing. With the Boat Harbor Treatment Plant facing numerous issues, there was an opportunity to tackle multiple long-term objectives, including additional SWIFT capacity.
Solution
Garney Construction developed a multi-step Design Build for HRSD involving the construction of a new equalization and pumping facility close to the Boat Harbor Treatment Plant, a new transmission force main, an expanded hydraulic and treatment capacity at Nansemond Treatment Plant across the river in Suffolk, and a SWIFT advanced treatment and recharge wells.
This project features a world record horizontal directional drill (HDD) and includes the subaqueous installation of AGRU-manufactured 54” HDPE DR-11 and 48” HDPE DR-17, DR-15.5, and DR-11 pipe. The subaqueous installation will use a 90’-long reach excavator and large cranes equipped with clamshell buckets. After excavation, the Garney barge will fuse the 54” and 48” pipes and sink them into the trench with precast concrete ballast blocks.
Once landfall is achieved in the Summer of 2025, the team will backfill the pipeline and place armor-corrugated block mattresses (ACBM) over it to help protect the asset from future dredging or anchor strikes.
Outcome
This project was successfully completed in 2025.
Overview
- Completion Date: 2025
- Project: James River Crossing
- Location: Virginia
- 11,025 LF AGRULINE 54” HDPE SDR 11
- 1,007 LF AGRULINE 48” HDPE SDR 17
- 5,989 LF AGRULINE 48” HDPE SDR 15.5
- Owner: Hampton Road Sanitation District (HRSD)
- Installer: Garney Construction
- Distributor: High Country Fusion
- Manufacturer: AGRU America, Inc.
Need Help Determining Which Product is Right For Your Application?
Interested in learning more about how one of our products can make a difference in your next project? Please reach out to us with your questions and one of our sales or technical staff will be happy to assist you.
We can help you determine your exact product or application-related needs. And because our products meet, and often exceed, industry standards you can rest assured knowing that you are getting the best solutions in the business.