--Sheet Piling Operations Update--

HRSD, your regional wastewater treatment utility, is undertaking improvements for the James River Treatment Plant SWIFT project. The installation and removal of sheet piling operations will be ongoing intermittently during the project. This type of work only takes place during the hours of 7 am to 5 pm (Monday-Friday) in compliance with the project’s weekday work hours.

Sheet Piling Operations: 

• Sheet piling operations only occur during weekdays to comply with HRSD and City noise requirements.
• This project includes the construction of new below grade (underground) wastewater and water tanks and buildings to support upgrades for the James River Treatment Plant SWIFT Improvements. Metal sheet piles are used in this construction to hold the earth in place during deep excavations that are required to install below grade utilities, and other below grade structures.   
• These metal sheet piles are placed into the earth using a vibratory hammer, which at times may seem loud due to the interlocking metal sheet piles clanging during installation. These interlocking metal sheets create a solid surface for holding earth in place during construction.
• Installation of metal sheet piles is a slow process taking weeks to ensure that the piles are correctly installed and to maintain vibration limits to keep from damaging existing adjacent structures. The contractor is monitoring vibration on site near installations to stay within project vibration limits.
• The noise level will vary based on type of equipment used, length of sheet piles, and the soil conditions. At times you may hear louder clanging due to the contractor changing to a slower smaller vibratory hammer that produces less vibration but creates more noise. This equipment change protects HRSD’s wastewater tanks and buildings from damage which remain in operation during construction. 
• Sheet piling operations will occur intermittently during the project through 2025 as work for each building occurs. These operations for each building may last 2 to 3 months at a time.
• Below are pictures of sheet piling installation process.

While our project team works diligently to minimize impacts, you may notice increased noise, traffic, crews, and heavy equipment (with back-up safety alarms) associated with construction. Please take care when traveling around the construction area and for your safety, do not enter the site.

Due to the nature of construction, work is weather and situation dependent and dates are subject to change. Please visit the project’s web page www.hrsd.com/james-river-tp-swift-improvements for updates.

Thank you for your support of this effort to help achieve HRSD's vision:

Future generations will inherit clean waterways and be able to keep them clean.