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Where we were, where we are, and where we are headed Special commission work session on water treatment plant design slated May 8 Originally published in the Piqua Daily Call March 29, 2014 By Bethany J. Royer PIQUA There’s still a bit of time before city officials can break out shovels, smiles and sighs of relief for the groundbreaking of the new water treatment plant on State Route 66. As Don Freisthler, water system superintendent, and David Burtner, director of utilities, provided an estimate of late summer into September of this year for construction to start. Their discussion revolving around a look into where we were, where we are and where we are headed to be provided by Bob Yoxthimer, a representative from CDM Smith, a consulting and engineering firm who has worked on a number of projects with the city of Piqua throughout the years, at a Thursday, May 8, commission work session. “We’re finally starting to look at the other side of the mountain,” said Burtner of a process that began well over six years ago and made solid progress after the purchase of nearly 40 acres at the future site of the new plant back in 2011. “We’ve come a long way.” Indeed, after finding the right property that would not leave the new plant landlocked or create too significant of a challenge to connect into the current system, an archaeological land study had to be performed given the historical significance of the area and its proximity to Johnston Farm. Then came the plant design with the final prints of the structure currently in the hands of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) with a normal time period of 3-months before receipt of commentary. Though nothing regarding the plans should come as a surprise to the OEPA given CDM Smith has been in constant communication with the agency throughout the process, from preliminary to the final prints provided in February, explained Freisthler. Likewise, the water treatment plant facilitators have kept the OEPA current on the new plant’s status via a revolving six-month formal letter, given the current plant will be 90 years old next year, and as a courtesy. Once the prints are returned, a final review will be done with CDM Smith in preparation for the bidding process, the latter which could take as long as 30 days considering the enormity of the project, with expectations of several bidders to respond, even some from out of state. However, from the time of the groundbreaking it will be 18 months to 2 years before the new plant is operational, dependent on weather, among other potentials, said Freisthler. “It’s going to be a lengthy, big project,” said Burnter with the process to be broken down into two projects. An off-site piping as one project and the plant construction a second.

Where We Were, Where We Are, And Where We Are Headed

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Page 1: Where We Were, Where We Are, And Where We Are Headed

Where we were, where we are, and where we are headed

Special commission work session on water treatment plant design slated May 8

Originally published in the Piqua Daily Call March 29, 2014

By Bethany J. Royer

PIQUA — There’s still a bit of time before city officials can break out shovels, smiles and sighs

of relief for the groundbreaking of the new water treatment plant on State Route 66. As Don

Freisthler, water system superintendent, and David Burtner, director of utilities, provided an

estimate of late summer into September of this year for construction to start. Their discussion

revolving around a look into where we were, where we are and where we are headed to be

provided by Bob Yoxthimer, a representative from CDM Smith, a consulting and engineering

firm who has worked on a number of projects with the city of Piqua throughout the years, at a

Thursday, May 8, commission work session.

“We’re finally starting to look at the other side of the mountain,” said Burtner of a process that

began well over six years ago and made solid progress after the purchase of nearly 40 acres at the

future site of the new plant back in 2011. “We’ve come a long way.”

Indeed, after finding the right property that would not leave the new plant landlocked or create

too significant of a challenge to connect into the current system, an archaeological land study had

to be performed given the historical significance of the area and its proximity to Johnston Farm.

Then came the plant design with the final prints of the structure currently in the hands of the

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) with a normal time period of 3-months before

receipt of commentary. Though nothing regarding the plans should come as a surprise to the

OEPA given CDM Smith has been in constant communication with the agency throughout the

process, from preliminary to the final prints provided in February, explained Freisthler.

Likewise, the water treatment plant facilitators have kept the OEPA current on the new plant’s

status via a revolving six-month formal letter, given the current plant will be 90 years old next

year, and as a courtesy.

Once the prints are returned, a final review will be done with CDM Smith in preparation for the

bidding process, the latter which could take as long as 30 days considering the enormity of the

project, with expectations of several bidders to respond, even some from out of state.

However, from the time of the groundbreaking it will be 18 months to 2 years before the new

plant is operational, dependent on weather, among other potentials, said Freisthler.

“It’s going to be a lengthy, big project,” said Burnter with the process to be broken down into

two projects. An off-site piping as one project and the plant construction a second.

Page 2: Where We Were, Where We Are, And Where We Are Headed

The water plant design commission work session meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m., Thursday,

May 8, on the second floor of the Government Municipal Complex, in the commission chamber.

The public is encouraged and invited to attend.

Bethany J. Royer may be reached at (937) 773-2721 or on Twitter @TheDailyCall