The ambitious $112.5 million revamp of the Pierce Burch Water Treatment Plant in West Arlington is on track, having already seen several new installations come online as the project crosses the halfway mark, a significant milestone for Arlington Water Utilities and the city's residents who rely on this critical infrastructure for their tap water. Initiated in 2021, the upgrade encompasses the integration of advanced chemical facilities, expansive clear wells designed for storing up to 8 million gallons of treated water, a high-service pump station poised for enhanced efficiency, state-of-the-art power distribution infrastructure, and robust emergency generators poised to provide redundancy, according to the City of Arlington.
One of the newly completed features, the clear wells, which are crucial for securing treated water before distribution, has undergone a rigorous hydrostatic test. This test involves filling the structures with water for 30 days to detect any potential leaks. The successful completion of this phase has paved the way for the wells to become partially operational. The clear wells, which store a total of 8 million gallons of treated water, are now ready to send water out for distribution.
Additionally, the plant's reliability has been further strengthened by the recent completion of a one-story building that supplies power to northern facilities, including the administrative core. This development marks a significant stride toward operational resilience and the consolidation of electrical services.
Another implemented feature is the dual-cell wash water recycle basins, which hold 1.2 million gallons of water each; these basins play a pivotal role in the water treatment process as they permit the recycling of water back to the treatment plant's head, thus ensuring optimal use of resources and sustainability. The project, scheduled for completion by fall 2025, presses on with the construction of the Charles F. Anderson High Service Pump Station (CFAPS) set to supplant its outdated counterpart in Southwest Arlington, and the installation of three new emergency generators that promise added security in crisis scenarios.
