New Plymouth Water System Rehabilitation Project

 Case Study Overview

• Project: New Plymouth Water System Rehabilitation Project
• Type: Municipal Water System Rehabilitation
• Location: New Plymouth, Idaho
• Scope: Comprehensive water system rehabilitation to address arsenic contamination, low-pressure issues, and other system deficiencies across multiple phases and construction contracts.
• Role of HECO Engineers: Provided a full suite of engineering services including system assessment, design, project management, and construction oversight.
• Outcome: Successfully rehabilitated the water system, ensuring compliance with arsenic regulations and significantly improving system performance and reliability.

Services Provided by HECO Engineers

• Civil Engineering
• Preliminary Engineering
• Survey
• Condition Assessment
• Construction Documents
• Construction Management
• Project Management

Problem

The City of New Plymouth faced several critical issues with its municipal water system, including:

• Non-compliance with new arsenic contamination regulations
• Low water pressure in certain areas
• And insufficient fire flows.

Additionally, the system contained undersized and outdated piping that required replacement to meet modern standards and ensure reliable water distribution.

Solution

HECO Engineers began by conducting a thorough study of the city’s water system and developing a comprehensive water master plan. This plan formed the foundation for a multi-phase rehabilitation project. Key components of the project included the installation of New Plymouth Well 9, designed to blend with existing wells to meet the arsenic maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 ppb. 

The project also included:

• Construction of a 250,000-gallon bolted steel storage tank with mixing systems
• Upgrades to the municipal booster pump station
• Replacement of approximately 20,500 feet of distribution and transmission piping

These improvements addressed the system’s deficiencies, ensuring adequate pressure, increased fire flows, and reliable water supply.

Results

The New Plymouth Water System Rehabilitation Project was successfully completed, bringing the city’s water system into compliance with federal arsenic standards. The installation of Well 9 and the blending strategy ensured safe drinking water for the community. 

The upgraded infrastructure, including:

• The new storage tank
• Improved pumping capacity
• Modernized control systems
• Resolved the previous issues of low pressure and inadequate fire protection.

The project significantly enhanced the reliability and efficiency of the city’s water distribution system.

Transforming New Plymouth’s Water System for Future Reliability

HECO Engineers’ work on the New Plymouth Water System Rehabilitation Project delivered essential upgrades that not only resolved critical compliance issues but also improved the overall performance and reliability of the system. These efforts have ensured that the community has access to safe and reliable drinking water for years to come.

 If your community is facing similar challenges or you want a free 30-minute review of your water system, contact HECO Engineers today.