This project is part of a larger, federally-mandated program to reduce sewage overflows during rainstorms. This project will provide updated infrastructure that will help ensure HRSD’s ability to protect public health and the environment for decades to come. This project will construct one 3-million-gallon offline storage tank and a pressure reducing pump station. The facility will improve system operations, increase sewage flow capacity, and provide reliable sanitary sewer infrastructure for areas of Suffolk and Isle of Wight County. 

We look at several routes/sites to determine what meets HRSD’s needs of availability, price, location of the site, property agreement terms, ease of access to the property for construction and future maintenance. 

During wet weather events, the above-ground storage tank will temporarily hold the wastewater to relieve pressures to the sewer system. HRSD needs a storage tank in this area to help reduce the occurrence of sanitary sewer overflows, which are improvements that are mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

This project will follow all related environmental regulations and evaluate opportunities during the design process to minimize impacts to the extent feasible. To achieve this mission, each project is reviewed for all potential environmental impacts and their associated permitting requirements. Specific elements that are under consideration for this project include: wetlands, protected species, and historic resources. During construction, erosion and sediment control measures will be installed, maintained, and regularly inspected to prevent degradation of sensitive resources.

No. While the offline storage facility is being designed and built to handle increased flow during routine wet weather events, its primary role is not intended to collect or treat stormwater. The facility is not sized to prevent all sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) when named storm events (tropical depressions, tropical storms, hurricanes, etc.) or lengthy nor’easters occur. HRSD’s sanitary sewer treatment system operates separately from the City’s stormwater collection system.

The proposed facility is very safe, with over 10,000 similar facilities constructed over the last 70 years. The facility will be monitored and controlled remotely to observe levels within it and to make sure that they are functioning as designed. HRSD will perform routine internal inspections of the facility to verify its condition, and maintenance will be scheduled based upon these inspections.

The storage facility should not create odor issues. HRSD will install an odor collection and abatement system to treat the air in the tanks. Similar technologies have been proven effective with other HRSD pump stations, wastewater treatment plants, and other odor related facilities. 

HRSD, the design team, and the selected contractor will be coordinating closely with Suffolk to minimize impacts on traffic. Lane closures with flaggers will be used to help direct traffic as needed.

The contractor will ensure that access to residences and at least one entrance to businesses will be maintained throughout construction. Trash and mail services will not be affected. If necessary, the contractor will move trash containers from within a work zone to an area accessible for pickup and will be responsible for returning them to each residence.

Work will typically take place Monday through Friday during daylight hours (7 a.m. - 5 p.m.). However, there may be times when extended hours, work at night, or weekend work may be necessary.

Your water and sewer service should not be affected by this project.

 Where sewer pipelines are installed, asphalt, curb, gutters, driveway aprons, and grass will be removed and then restored upon completion of the project. 

The typical construction noises such as equipment engines, back-up alarms, materials being delivered, diesel generators, air compressors, sawing, and associated activities should be anticipated.Suffolk’s noise ordinances will be followed by identifying and dampening excessive noise-generating activities as well as vibration from equipment during construction activities. 

The contractor will store the majority of material and equipment on site at 1941 Wilroy Road but may negotiate with a private property owner for an additional storage area in the project vicinity.

Construction workers will park on the project site within HRSD property boundaries. Construction personnel will not be allowed to park their personal vehicles on the public streets. 

HRSD operations staff will visit the station multiple times per week to ensure proper facility operation and perform routine maintenance. Monthly and annual preventative maintenance activities will be scheduled for the entire facility and will include additional maintenance activities beyond the day-to-day operations. These additional activities will include running the facility generator for approximately two hours. All regularly scheduled maintenance will occur during our normal operating hours. Exercising the generator on a monthly basis will be scheduled after 8am. There may be times when operations staff is at the facility outside our normal operating hours to take care of unforeseen issues, but these situations should be minimal.
 

The estimated cost for the project is approximately $53 million and is financed through HRSD Capital Improvement Program with Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund (VCWRLF) and by the wastewater treatment fees paid by HRSD customers.

Regular project updates are posted on the HRSD website at www.hrsd.com/construction-status. You may also sign up at www.hrsd.com/subscriptions to receive an email notification whenever the website has an update about the project.