BergerWorld: 4th Quarter 2004

Protecting Arizona's scarce water supplies and providing potable water to residents is one of the state's most important challenges. Arizona's expanding population and increasing water needs have forced many towns and municipalities to upgrade their water treatment programs. The Berger Group has worked with a number of local governments to cost-effectively improve water treatment facilities and networks.

Nogales is a town of 20,000 citizens on the Mexican border. The municipality currently provides sewer service to all residents, as well as to several communities outside the city limits through two separate water treatment plants, the Nogales International Wastewater Treatment Plant (NIWTP) and a package treatment plant at Kino Springs. Both systems are in need of improvements to meet the growing needs of the community and Berger was selected to prepare a master plan to address these pressing issues.

Berger conducted a thorough study of the existing systems at the NIWTP and Kino Springs plants, evaluated potential supply sites on the Santa Cruz River and Potrero Creek basins, the Guevavi and Mariposa Ranches and the Kino Springs areas.

Berger assessed these plants and conducted a network analysis using state-of-the-art computer modeling to predict future performance. These findings were incorporated into a regional master plan identifying existing deficiencies and long-term community needs and offering several alternative improvements.

Berger also assisted the city of Somerton to upgrade their current wastewater treatment system to meet the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The city was served by a deteriorating lagoon system treatment plant, relying on aeration and operating at its full capacity of 400,000 gallons-per-day which failed to meet the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements.

The Berger team conducted a detailed analysis of the existing wastewater treatment facility and surrounding site and prepared a master plan for expanding the facilities. As part of this long-term plan, Berger identified and evaluated several alternatives, including the upgrade and expansion of the existing lagoon system and a sequence batch reactor system to address future development and selected the most cost-effective method, involving the replacement of the current wastewater treatment facility. The Team then completed conceptual designs and documentation for Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) certification. The new system will minimize production of solid waste, substantially reducing the costs of handling and disposal while meeting the EPA's current requirements.

The town of Sahuarita, located 20 miles south of Tucson, was founded in the late 1800s and incorporated in 1994. The town includes the historic village of La Villita, the original settlement and current business center. The historic town of less than 4,000 residents has traditionally relied on public well water for potable water and individual septic systems for sewage disposal. However, sewage and water systems in this area greatly vary in age and condition and residents frequently encounter problems with inadequate sewage treatment capacity, low water and fire hydrant pressure and well and septic field contamination. To remedy these problems and assist the town in providing for future growth, the Berger Group was selected to plan and install new water and sewer lines within La Villita and to connect these lines to township sewers. Berger conducted a detailed study of the current and future needs of the community, prepared field surveys, preliminary designs and cost estimates for the new system and completed the documentation for BECC certification.