Project Background:

The Sweeney Water Treatment Plant is undergoing an expansion to increase the amount of clean water it can produce.  The plant currently has the capability to process 27.5 million gallons of water per day to serve over 121,000 people in the City of Wilmington.  During the past couple of summers when water was used more due to lawn watering, car washing, and the influx of people in from out of town, this plant reached the maximum amount of water it can process.

Project Description:

The Sweeney Water Treatment Plant is being expanded to have the capability of processing up to 35 million gallons of water per day.  The expansion includes demolition of the old abandoned water treatment plant that predates 1910, and demolition of the older section of the current water treatment plant that predates 1958.  These aging facilities will be replaced with new facilities incorporating the latest, more innovative water treatment technologies currently being used in the newer part of the plant, and the addition of a UV disinfection facility.  The water treatment plant will stay online, process, and distribute clean water throughout construction.

Project Phases:

Phase 1:  Residual System Upgrade

The residual system is a part of the plant that processes the dirt and other unwanted material pulled out of the water.  The upgrade includes new holding tanks and pumps.

Phase 2:  Basin & Filter Complex 2

This includes the construction of new meter vaults, pump station, and a basin and filter complex.

Phase 3:  Construction Completion

This is the final phase and includes the construction of the new UV disinfection facility, ozone generator, the third basin and filter complex, and administration/maintenance building, and the upgrades to the chemical feed and operations building.

Project Schedule:

Construction began:  September 2008

Phase 1 Complete:  October 2009

Planned Phase 2 Completion:  End of 2010

Planned Project Completion:  Spring 2012