Breaking Boundaries, Transforming Communities: The Stowe Regional Water Resource Recovery Facility - Pioneering a Collaborative Approach to Regional Wastewater Management

The Stowe Regional Water Resource Recovery Facility (RWRRF) stands as an exemplar of sustainable and integrated water management, situated at the heart of the greater Charlotte, North Carolina region. This visionary project, a result of regional collaboration, showcases the commitment of Charlotte Water, the City of Mount Holly, and the City of Belmont, working seamlessly under formalized interlocal agreements. Together, we recognize the importance of managing water resources on a broader scale, laying the foundation for long-term benefits, efficient resource utilization, and unwavering environmental stewardship. By consolidating our resources and expertise, we have forged a partnership that enables us to deliver cost-effective and environmentally conscious wastewater management services to our communities. Rather than taking a fragmented approach of upgrading individual facilities, we've embarked on the construction of a new facility that optimally utilizes our pristine Catawba River, a natural treasure gracing our communities. Our collaboration doesn't merely enhance operational efficiency; it also fortifies our readiness to address future wastewater flow projections. Throughout this ambitious endeavor, we've cultivated meaningful partnerships with various stakeholders, including the Catawba Riverkeeper, Catawba Lands Conservancy, Catawba Nation, EPA, NCDEQ, local jurisdictional staff and elected officials, as well as neighboring schools and residents. This spirit of cooperation underscores our collective dedication to the project's success. The Stowe RWWRF addresses the region's burgeoning wastewater needs, preparing us to accommodate a projected 136% population increase from 2014 to 2034. The project also consolidates wastewater treatment facilities by replacing existing plants in Mount Holly and Belmont with pump stations streamlines operations, reducing costs, and minimizing environmental impact. Additionally, the facility reduces the energy-intensive 20+ mile pumping of, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing the risk of spills. Project Components: 1.Stowe Regional Water Resource Recovery Facility - This new wastewater treatment plant, operated by Charlotte Water, will be situated along the Catawba River in Mecklenburg County, serving communities in northwestern Mecklenburg County, Belmont, and Mount Holly. Initially designed for a capacity of 15 million gallons per day (MGD) in Phase 1, it will expand to handle up to 25 MGD in Phase 2. The facility spans 67 acres and integrates advanced technologies, including Primary Clarifiers, a Five-Stage BNR with Densification, Final Clarifiers, Deep Bed Filters, UV Disinfection, and Cascade Aeration. 2.Stowe Headworks and Influent Pump Station -Complementing the Stowe Facility, the existing Long Creek Pump Station will be upgraded, and the Stowe Headworks and Influent Pump Station will be constructed adjacent to it. These facilities will collect incoming wastewater flows from Mount Holly and northwestern Mecklenburg County and process them through the first two steps of the primary treatment stage. New force mains will transport partially treated wastewater to the Stowe Facility for further treatment. The Long Creek Pump Station, located at the end of Hawfield Road off Whitewater Center Parkway, will be connected to the Stowe Facility via a bridge over Long Creek. During construction, kayaking and fishing in Long Creek may be restricted. Key technologies include Flow Equalization, RSI Sampling Box, Screenings, Grit Removal, Influent Flow Monitoring, First Stage Influent Pumps, Paw Creek Transfer Pumps, Stowe Equalization Pumping Station, Second Stage Influent Pumps, Stowe Day Tanks, Stowe Storm Flow Equalization Basins, Power Distribution System, Generator Facility, and Preliminary Treatment Force Mains Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) under Long Creek to Stowe WRRF: 1,142 linear feet each (2 lines). 3.Mount Holly Pump Station - A new pump station and force main infrastructure will be constructed on the site of the current Mount Holly Wastewater Treatment Plant. This station will pump wastewater through force main pipes located deep beneath the Catawba River and Long Creek to the Long Creek Pump Station, ultimately reaching the Stowe Facility for treatment. The construction traffic utilizes a new temporary access road off Tuckaseege Road to minimize disruption in Tuckaseege Park. Key components involve the decommissioning of the existing Mount Holly WWTP, installation of a new lift station, and Mount Holly Force Mains HDD under the Catawba River and Long Creek to Long Creek Pump Station: 3,000 linear feet each (2 lines). 4.Belmont Pump Station - This project entails the construction of a new lift station, the decommissioning of the Belmont WWTP, and the installation of Belmont force mains HDD under the Catawba River to the Paw Creek Pump Station: Approximately 4,400 linear feet each (2 lines). Existing infrastructure will be converted to wet weather storm flow equalization. Technical Complexities: Force Mains One of the technical complexities of this project is the installation of Force Main Pipes, achieved through a technique called Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD). HDD is renowned for its minimal surface ground disturbance, making it an environmentally safe method for installing long pressure pipes beneath water bodies or major roadways. This technique will be employed in three critical locations: Two force main pipes will traverse beneath the Catawba River and Long Creek, linking the Mount Holly Pump Station to the Long Creek Pump Station. Another pair of force main pipes will be installed beneath Long Creek, connecting the Long Creek Pump Station and Stowe Headworks and Influent Pump Station to the Stowe Water Resource Recovery Facility. Two additional force main pipes will be installed under a different section of the Catawba River, facilitating the connection between the Belmont Pump Station and the Paw Creek Pump Station. In conclusion, the Stowe Regional Water Resource Recovery Facility embodies the essence of collaboration, sustainable water management, and technological innovation. It serves as a beacon of hope and a model for addressing wastewater management challenges at a regional scale. Our presentation at this conference will delve into the intricate details of this transformative project, highlighting the innovative technologies, partnerships, and shared commitment that make the Stowe RWRRF an exemplary case study. Together, we invite you to explore the triumphs and challenges of our collaborative journey and envision a future where regional approaches to wastewater management become the norm.