River Oaks Diversion Project

As part of Hillsborough County’s wastewater consolidation program initiative, the River Oaks Diversion Project was the critical link in successfully diverting up to 24 million gallons per day (MGD) of wastewater flows from the aged and now demolished River Oaks Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility to the new Northwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility. 

The project included a wastewater pump station with four 385 horsepower (HP) dry pit submersible pumps rated at 5,600 gallons per minute (GPM), two 140 HP dry pit submersible jockey pumps rated at 5,375 GPM, two backup diesel horizontal pumps capable of over 27 MGD, an electrical building, and an odor control unit—all within a 0.41 square foot area on existing property. Off-site piping included 17,840 linear feet (LF) of 30” and 36” ductile iron pipe (DIP) wastewater transfer force mains, 10,020 LF of 20” DIP reclaim waterline, jack and bore installations to cross major roadways and railways, and a flanged pipe aerial crossing of the Tampa Bay Watershed. The resultant pipelines and Sheldon Super Pump Station allowed the team to demolish 36 structures, the entirety of the aging River Oaks Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility, and return the area to a green site.

Due to the complexity, impacts, and congestion within the available pipeline route, 10,020 LF of 20” DIP reclaim waterline with 225 LF of 36” casing was installed using jack and bore, and 2,700 LF of 20” horizontal directional drill using fusible PVC was included to provide critical redundancy between two existing systems in the area. These pipelines were installed through heavily congested residential and commercial areas, within an already utility-congested alignment, through some of the busiest and notoriously dangerous intersections in the entire County. 

All this work was performed while maintaining continuous access and an intensive focus on public involvement and safety through several key open community meetings and extensive traffic control communication. 

The River Oaks Diversion Project provided an extraordinary opportunity to make a significant, positive impact on the surrounding community, serving approximately 164,000 customers.

AWARDS
Design-Build Project of the Year — Water/Wastewater, 2021  DBIA Florida Region