Grimes Water

This project consisted of a comprehensive evaluation of the 1940's era Grimes Water Treatment Plant in Abilene. The City staff desired to demolish the old plant and add additional capacity at its newer treatment plant near Lake Fort Phantom Hill. However, the evaluation showed that the existing facilities could be completely rehabilitated into a modern facility at less than one-half the cost to expand the other treatment plant and convey the water into the City. The rehabilitation of the plant brought it to a rated treatment capacity of 25 MGD, with provisions to increase the capacity to 38 MGD. Improvements included replacing the conventional clarification equipment with solids contact clarifiers and installing new bulk chemical storage facilities, replacing the filter bottoms and media, replacing the filter control valves and piping, replacing high service pumps, adding SCADA plant controls, and remodeling the plant administration building. The plant received an award for the architectural modifications that maintained the original style of the old near downtown facility. Work was completed by Lee Head while working with another firm.