AWWA WQTC69382

To resolve ice blockage and water quality issues for Elyria Water Treatment Plant, a water intake study was conducted in the summer of 2007, focusing on developing and evaluating new intake alternatives. Information required for alternative development was acquired through public data search, offshore investigation, and model simulation. Model results and water column analysis indicated improved average raw water quality at the new intake site (3000 feet offshore) compared with the current intake site (1300 feet offshore). Water quality monitoring implied that water quality in the new site may be fluctuant during storm events. Based on lake conditions and intake requirements, two alternative intake designs were investigated: extending the existing intake pipe to 3000 feet offshore and installing a new crib; and, installing a new, larger intake pipe and crib. Economic and non-economic criteria were adopted to evaluate and compare these two alternatives. The results of the alternative evaluation showed that although the extension alternative has lower construction cost, the new intake pipe alternative will significantly improve the system capacity, reliability, and flexibility. Design criteria were also discussed in this study in order to provide a practical evaluation of the intake alternatives. Includes 6 references, tables, figures.