NEWS

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Purification Facility Progress Shining Bright

A new light is shining on the outstanding progress at the Prairie Waters Project Peter D. Binney Water Purification Facility and its powered by UV.
January marked the end of installation of high intensity ultraviolet lamps and associated components into the nearly 4,000 pound ultraviolet generators for the facility’s advanced ultraviolet oxidation system. The system is a key component of the multiple-step water purification process for Aurora Water’s project to help drought harden the water system through bringing the city’s existing South Platte River water resources online by late 2010.

Crews spent the past two months installing each of the approximately 4-foot-long UV lamps, specially designed quartz sleeves, and electrical components into the UV generators. In total, 6,912 lamps and associated components were installed at the UV building. Now that the generators are equipped, workers will continue with tying the UV system into the rest the water purification facility and begin testing equipment.

Once operational, high intensity ultraviolet rays will destroy unwanted contaminants, including trace amounts of chemical, viruses and other compounds.

PWP Crosses the Platte, Connect into Tunnel

In June of 2009, pipeline crews finished connecting into the South Platte River tunnel, one of more than 20 tunnel crossings for the Prairie Waters Project. Tunneling work for the project is nearly complete, as workers continue to install the remaining pipeline segments and connect into the last tunnel areas.

One of the most challenging milestones for the project was successfully completed March 20 as construction crews broke through the bedrock on the east side of the South Platte River with their tunneling equipment to complete the challenging river crossing. A crew of about 10 worked 12-hour shifts drilling a 78-inch diameter hole through the bedrock under the river in only 7 days.

While the Prairie Waters Project has many tunnels under jurisdictional waterways, the South Platte River crossing was most challenging because at about 260 feet long it is not only the longest waterway crossing, but is also one of the most sensitive environmental areas. Engineers, designers, permit, land and environmental specialists as well as construction crews and management staff collaborated closely through the planning and construction of the tunnel to make sure operations ran smoothly, did not experience delays and protected sensitive wetland areas.

Ultraviolet Equipment Delivered to PBWPF

Workers at the Peter D. Binney Water Purification Facility (PBWPF) received a special delivery in January of 2009 as a convoy of semis began arriving at the site with ultraviolet disinfection generators and associated equipment for the new treatment plant.

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