A storage tank of this size is needed in this area of Virginia Beach to handle increased wastewater flow as a result of the decommissioning of the Chesapeake-Elizabeth Treatment Plant and rainwater/groundwater entering the sanitary sewer collection system during heavy rainfalls. This rainwater/groundwater enters the system via leaks in service laterals, manholes, and gravity pipelines. This storage tank temporarily holds the diluted wastewater until it can be pumped back into the HRSD pipeline once system pressure returns to the normal range following the rainfall and peak flow event.

HRSD will install an odor collection and abatement system to handle the air in the tank. Similar technologies have been proven effective with other HRSD pump stations, wastewater treatment plants, and other odor generating facilities.

The tank will be monitored and controlled remotely to observe levels within it and to make sure that it is functioning as designed. HRSD will perform routine internal inspections of this tank to verify its condition and maintenance will be scheduled based upon these inspections. This tank is expected to fill only during major rain events and remain near-empty most other times, so routine inspections and maintenance can be performed on the storage tank and supporting facilities (odor control system, tank pumping system) during dry weather periods. A barrier will separate park-goers from the access doors to the inside of the tank and support facilities. When HRSD is not inspecting the tank, all access doors will remain closed and locked.

This tank will be designed for 50+ years of service.

HRSD, the design team, and the selected contractor will be coordinating closely with the City of Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation as well as the Department of Public Works to minimize impacts on traffic and pedestrians in areas near the construction zones. City noise ordinances will be followed by identifying and dampening excessive noise-generating activities and equipment.

Yes. Underground and partially-buried wastewater storage tanks with added multi-use amenities such as sporting fields have been constructed in other communities. Alex Renew, the wastewater utility in Alexandria, VA has such a tank with a soccer field built above it. HRSD also has an above-ground wastewater storage tank in operation in Hampton that has been used for major storm events.

No. While this storage tank is being designed and built to handle increased flow during routine heavy rain events, its primary role is not intended to collect or treat stormwater. This tank is not sized to prevent all sanitary sewer overflows when named storm events (tropical depressions, tropical storms, hurricanes) or lengthy nor’easters occur. HRSD’s sanitary sewer treatment system operates separately from the City of Virginia Beach’s stormwater collection and treatment system.

A detailed evaluation of the Chesapeake-Elizabeth Wastewater Treatment Plant concluded that closing the plant and rerouting flows to the Atlantic Wastewater Treatment Plant would provide better cost savings, overall environmental benefits and the most benefit for the community versus investing in the significant upgrades and enhancements the Chesapeake-Elizabeth Wastewater Treatment Plant requires to extend its useful life and improve its performance. If you have any questions, concerns or comments about the project, please feel free to contact: Lisa Bolen, HRSD Public Information Specialist, at 757.460.7000 or lbolen@hrsd.com.

A wetland survey, a stormwater management plan, and a soil and groundwater environmental evaluation will all be finalized during the design phase in 2018 with some investigations currently underway.

The completion of the storage tank and the improvements to Woodstock Park are jointly planned for mid-year 2021. This includes 18 -24 months of construction during which time the park will be closed for the safety of the community.

HRSD and their designers will lead design open house events in 2019 to garner input on the skate park. Comments and suggestions can also be sent to projects@HRSD.com.

We anticipate that some trees will need to be removed during construction. All tree removal will be coordinated and approved through the City of Virginia Beach.

Regular project updates are posted on the HRSD website at www.hrsd.com.