Saratoga Springs, NY — The New York State Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) has selected the Saratoga Springs Raw Water Intake Improvements Phase 1 project as its 2022 Project of the Year in the Environment <$5 M category.
The award recognizes excellence in the management and administration of public works projects that embody creativity, ingenuity and efficiency, and have a profound impact on the community.
The $2.6 million project included strategic improvements for the existing Loughberry Lake raw water intake system to the Water Treatment Plant, which still relied on some of the original valves, vaults and piping from the 1870s.
CPL spearheaded design efforts and oversaw the installation of new underground conduits to the Water Treatment Plant, along with the replacement of the old gate house with a new raw water control structure and the replacement of the sluice gates at the lake intake structure.
During construction, the team faced several hurdles that required strategic adaptation and creative teamwork. One such challenge arose when they discovered that the existing brick intake piping from the 1870s was leaking and could be further compromised by adjacent construction operations. To address this issue, the team installed a temporary bypass pumping system to supply water from the lake to the Water Treatment Plant while work was completed.
The team also encountered many difficult site conditions such as having to work in close proximity to the existing Loughberry Lake earthen dam; sandy soils and a high water table requiring shoring and dewatering for the deep excavations; below-freezing temperatures; and dealing with supply chain issues. Despite these complications, the project was completed without causing any disruption to the City’s drinking water supply.
In addition to playing a vital role in the upgrading and modernizing of the City’s water supply system, these improvement efforts ensure that community members have access to clean, plentiful water for decades to come.
The project team will receive the prestigious award at the NYS APWA Awards Recognition Banquet, to be held in conjunction with the chapter’s 2023 Annual Conference in Binghamton, NY, on March 23.
About CPL
Founded in 1975, CPL is a 500+ person multi-disciplined architecture, engineering and planning firm offering inspiring design services and enriching communities in 24 cities across seven states. CPL specializes in the Community, Healthcare, Higher Education, and K-12 Education market sectors – providing architectural, interior design, civil engineering, buildings and structural engineering, planning, landscape architecture and 3D/virtual design services to a host of public and private clients.