Ray Roberts Water Treatment Plant Capacity Re-rate and Performance Improvements

We’re excited to announce that the plant is back online and running at full capacity! Here’s the latest scoop on our progress:

• Chain of Flight Systems: Three out of four systems have been swapped out with shiny new ones, boosting efficiency and reliability.

• Sand Filters: All filters have fresh media, ready to keep things crystal clear.

• Chemical Containment Pit: We’re wrapping up work here, ensuring everything is safe and secure.

• Ground Storage Tank: It’s up and wound tight! Finishing touches kick off next week.

• Variable Frequency Drive Building: The structure is complete, and we’re putting the final polish on the interior.

Denton Water Utilities is excited to share a construction update for our Ray Roberts Water Treatment Plant Re-Rate Project!

The Ray Roberts Treatment Plant, which is currently able to treat 20 Million Gallons of water per Day (MGD), will be taken offline from March 3^rd through March 14^th for upgrades and improvements to existing plant infrastructure. This work will make significant strides towards the additional 6 MGD treatment capacity we will have upon project completion in 2027.

To make these upgrades, the Ray Roberts plant will be completely off-line from March 3^rd through March 14^th. There will be no impact to our customers as demands in March average around 18 MGD, and the Lewisville Treatment Plant has a 30 MGD capacity.

The most recently completed construction while the plant has remained in service is as follows:

The foundation has been poured and is curing at the High Service Pump Station. Pump pre-removal testing has been completed at the High Service Pump Station. Coating at the chemical containment pit has been completed. Piping has been installed at the Ground Storage Tank and the foundation is being finished out. Filter media and underlayment caps have been replaced on filters 1 through 4 and they have been returned to service. Archer Western is now working on doing the same for updates on filters 7 and 8.

The project is progressing according to schedule with several key milestones achieved. The installation of the main drain sump line nears completion, marking a significant advancement in this critical aspect of the project.

Furthermore, the application of a protective coating at the Chemical Containment Pit has been successfully completed. At the Ground Storage Tank (GST) site, excavation and installation of essential piping infrastructure are currently underway.

Finally, to enhance the overall system efficiency, the filter media within Filters 3 and 4 is undergoing a planned replacement. These concurrent activities demonstrate the project's commitment to timely execution and adherence to the established timeline.

Our team has made substantial progress on various aspects of the project. The chemical containment pit's foundation, walls, and piers are now complete. The ground storage tank foundation is ready for the next phase, with excavation, backfilling, and mud slab pouring finished. Additionally, hundreds of feet of duct bank have been installed for the electrical system. As we move into next week, we'll begin drilling piers for the Variable Frequency Drive building.

The laydown yard has been successfully set up, featuring office trailers to accommodate contractor staff, conex boxes for secure materials and tool storage, and flexbase to ensure a clean and safe working environment. The electrical subcontractor has commenced preliminary tasks, while Archer Western has been diligently conducting surveys to prepare for the upcoming intensive work phase.

In parallel, demolition activities and necessary bypasses for the construction of the new chemical containment pit are actively underway. We’ve also seen multiple visits from suppliers, allowing us to fine-tune our parts orders and strategically manage high lead-time items to minimize delays.

Progress is steadily advancing on the Ray Roberts Treatment Plant re-rate project. We recently held a preconstruction meeting that brought together Plant Management, the City of Denton Project Management team, Archer Western Construction Contractors, and Freese & Nichols Engineering team. With surveying and the rollout of the laydown yard now underway, Archer Western and CF Electric have begun mobilizing materials onto the site.

Surface Water Disinfection Process in a Nutshell

Ensuring safe drinking water from surface sources involves a complex, multi-step process utilizing advanced technologies and substantial resources.

1. Coagulation: Water treatment begins with coagulation, where coagulants like aluminum sulfate, ferric chloride, and organic polymers are rapidly mixed into the water. This process alters the electrical charges around suspended particles, causing them to attract and form larger clumps called flocs.
2. Flocculation: The water is gently agitated to encourage these flocs to collide, stick together, and trap other suspended particles, forming even larger, heavier particles.
3. Sedimentation: The flocculated water moves slowly through a basin or tank, allowing the heavy particles to settle at the bottom for removal.
4. Filtration: The water then passes through a filter made of sand, coal particles, or similar materials, which removes finer particles like silt and some pathogens. This step further reduces turbidity, resulting in crystal-clear water.
5. Carbon Adsorption: Activated carbon may be used to remove chemical contaminants. These contaminants adhere to the surface of the carbon, effectively removing them from the water.
6. Disinfection: Ozone is added to the water to destroy harmful germs such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other organisms. A residual amount of chlorine disinfectant is maintained in the water to continue killing pathogens as the water travels through pipelines to consumers.
7. Aeration: If necessary, air is mixed with water to remove undesirable amounts of iron and manganese, which remain in solution in the absence of oxygen. Aeration improves the water's color, taste, and odor.
8. Fluoridation: Fluoride is added to reduce tooth decay.
9. Storage: Treated water is stored in a clear well ready to be pumped to your tap for consumption.

Each of these steps ensures that surface water is thoroughly treated and safe for consumption by the time it reaches the tap.