Water utility buildings are critical infrastructure that play a crucial role in the delivery of clean and safe drinking water to communities along with safety to the city and people. These buildings house the equipment and systems necessary to pump, treat, and distribute water to homes and businesses. The design and construction of water utility buildings must take into consideration factors such as water quality standards, energy efficiency, and the safety and health of workers and the surrounding community.
Water Treatment Facilities (UN Goal 6)
Water treatment facilities play a critical role in ensuring that people have access to clean and safe drinking water. These facilities are responsible for removing harmful contaminants and pollutants from water sources before they are distributed to homes and businesses. GSR Andrade Architects is committed to constructing such facilities for the community and infrastructure of the city in accordance with UN Clean Water and Sanitation Goals.
Importance of Water Treatment Facilities
Water treatment facilities are essential in ensuring public health. In the absence of proper treatment, drinking water can contain harmful contaminants that can lead to waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. These diseases can be life-threatening, particularly for children and people with weakened immune systems. Moreover, industrial activities and urbanization have led to an increase in pollutants and contaminants in water sources, making water treatment even more crucial. Water treatment facilities are also critical in ensuring environmental protection. Untreated wastewater and effluent from industries can harm aquatic life, damage ecosystems, and lead to the degradation of water quality. By treating wastewater and removing pollutants, water treatment facilities prevent environmental degradation and promote sustainable water use.
Water Treatment Facilities constructed by GSR Andrade Architects:
Bachman Ozone Treatment Facility, Dallas, Texas: Located among the existing historical facilities at the Bachman Water Treatment Plant, the Ozone Treatment facility utilizes blended brick veneer and cast stone detailing to provide a cohesive architecture consistent with the other buildings. Along with the historical materials, the facility’s modern design approach is exemplified by its use of energy efficient insulated panels. Materials selected create not only a low maintenance and long-life span envelope, but also provide a visual statement to the public.
Eastside Ozone Treatment Facility, Sunnyvale, Texas: The 41,000 s.f. Eastside Ozone Treatment facility is a welcome addition to the Eastside Water Treatment Plant for the City of Dallas. City officials wanted a visually sculptural, as well as functional facility to host plant tours. From educational tours geared toward school children to more advanced tours aimed at visiting foreign dignitaries, the City is focused on the creation of a cutting-edge, museum-like setting which is to be surrounded by the impressive inner workings of the ozone treatment machinery.
Dewatering Facility Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant, Dallas, Texas: The Dewatering Facility at the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant is a two-story, 52,190 s.f., concrete-framed building that contains equipment used to process wastewater into solid and liquid components. The building’s concrete frame is exposed and in-filled with durable architectural masonry veneer. Special glass block clerestories allow filtered daylight into the space while tempering the Texas summer heat. Inside, a glass enclosed control room and observation deck allow plant staff to monitor the process equipment while protected from the building’s harsh interior environment.
Types of Treatment Processes
Water treatment facilities use different treatment processes to remove contaminants from water sources. The type of process used depends on the quality of the water source and the contaminants present. Some common water treatment processes include:
- Coagulation and Flocculation: In this process, chemicals are added to the water to create particles that attract and bind with contaminants, making them easier to remove.
- Sedimentation: During sedimentation, the water is left undisturbed, allowing the heavier particles to settle to the bottom of the tank.
- Filtration: Water is passed through different types of filters to remove remaining contaminants and impurities.
- Disinfection: Finally, water is disinfected to remove any remaining bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms. Chlorine, ozone, and ultraviolet (UV) light are commonly used to disinfect water.
Challenges Facing Water Treatment Facilities
Despite the critical role they play, water treatment facilities face numerous challenges in providing safe and clean drinking water. Some of the challenges include:
Emerging Contaminants: New contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and microplastics are increasingly being detected in water sources. These contaminants are not always effectively removed by traditional treatment processes.
Climate Change: Climate change can lead to changes in water quality, quantity, and availability. Extreme weather events such as floods and droughts can also impact water treatment facilities’ ability to provide safe and clean drinking water.
Water treatment facilities are essential in ensuring that people have access to clean and safe drinking water. By removing contaminants and pollutants from water sources, these facilities play a critical role in protecting public health and the environment. However, water treatment facilities face numerous challenges in providing safe and clean drinking water. It is essential that policymakers and stakeholders continue to support water treatment facilities by providing funding, investing in research, and implementing policies that promote sustainable water management.
Stormwater Pumping Stations (UN Goal 9)
Stormwater pumping stations are essential infrastructure that help protect communities and properties from the damages caused by flooding during heavy rainstorms. These pumping stations are designed to pump excess water from streets, parking lots, and other surfaces to prevent flooding and to redirect the water towards nearby bodies of water, such as rivers or lakes. GSR Andrade Architects has also helped design and construct water pumping stations for the DFW in accordance with the UN Goal 9, Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
There are several types of pumps that can be used in stormwater pumping stations, including submersible pumps, centrifugal pumps, and positive displacement pumps. Submersible pumps are typically used in small to medium-sized pumping stations and are installed directly in the wet well. Centrifugal pumps are used in larger stations and are typically located in a separate pump house above ground. Positive displacement pumps are typically used for high flow rates and are located above ground.
In addition to the pump system, stormwater pumping stations also require electrical equipment and control systems to manage the pump operations. These control systems typically include sensors to detect water levels in the wet well and control the pumps accordingly. They also include backup power systems, such as generators, to ensure that the pumping station remains operational during power outages.
One important aspect of stormwater pumping stations is maintenance. Regular maintenance is necessary to ensure that the pumps, control systems, and electrical equipment are functioning properly. Maintenance can include cleaning the wet well, inspecting the pumps and control systems, and testing the backup power systems. Failure to maintain stormwater pumping stations can result in equipment failure, flooding, and property damage.
Stormwater pumping stations play a vital role in protecting communities and properties from flooding during heavy rainstorms. They require careful planning, design, and maintenance to ensure that they function properly when they are needed most. With proper management, stormwater pumping stations can provide long-term protection against the impacts of severe weather events.
Stormwater pumping stations designed and constructed by GSR Andrade Architects
Able Pump Station, Dallas, Texas: Located on Riverfront Boulevard, the 18,000 s.f. Able Pump Station primarily provides flood control for the southern Central Business District, future Trinity Lakes, and master‐planned Trinity River Corridor infrastructure. Reinforcing the pedestrian connector to the future Reunion Overlook and Trinity Lakes Promenade, it links to the Oak Cliff Levee Urban Trail system and the new “natural lakes” in its flood control system.
Programmatically, the facility needed only to be a massive 180’X140’by 50’ tall box, but with such a prominent presence (sitting on a zero setback from the street) the team deconstructed the scale of the box. With no functional need for fenestration or articulation, as the interior functions consist of electrical switch gear rooms, it was decided to create an abstract sculptural element. Layers of varying materials and colors are peeled back, twisted up and away, revealing blades of glowing light and reflective metals. As the flowing skin rises to the east, a covered area with video boards invites passersby to learn about the facility, the history of flood management, and updates on community events in and around the waterfront.
Able No. 3 achieved LEED Silver Certification.
MacArthur Pump Station, Irving, Texas: MacArthur Pump Station is an 11,600 s.f. pump station that serves the city of Irving, Texas. The building is clad with masonry and stone veneer, corrugated metal paneling and a standing seam metal roof to evoke the image of Texas vernacular architecture. Translucent windows provide natural light to the interior pump gallery, while light colored materials are used to reflect the sun’s heat and aid in energy efficiency. The facility serves as a backdrop to an urban park with pathways and benches for pedestrians to enjoy. The park is landscaped with native drought-tolerant plants to emphasize the important role that water plays in a large city.
