August 25, 2010

MAPLE REINDERS

Work continues on the Lorne Park Water Treatment Plant expansion and upgrade.

Lorne Park Water Treatment Plant project split into two contracts

DAN O’REILLY

correspondent

Two Mississauga, Ont.-based contractors are working side by side on a massive $200-million expansion of Peel Region’s Lorne Park Water Treatment Plant in the heart of Mississauga’s Jack Darling Park on the shores of Lake Ontario.

The project, undertaken by Maple Reinders Constructors Ltd. and Kenaidan Contracting Ltd., will increase the plant’s water producing capacity from 347 megalitres per day to 500 ML/d.

Maple Reinders is converting eight settling tanks into 16 membrane tanks and constructing a 1,500-square-metre membrane pump and ultra-violet equipment building on the west side of the facility.

“Due to a fantastic, year-long, effort,” by forming subcontractor Reimar Forming & Construction, the building’s concrete was completed on schedule, says Paul Kundrat, manager of Maple Reinders’ civil and environmental division.

The contractor is now in the process installation phase with the goal of making potable water by mid-May 2011, says Kundrat, who estimates there is a combined workforce of 50 hourly employees on site.

On the east side, Kenaidan’s crews were nearing completion of a 368-square-metre sewage pumping station in early August and had begun pouring the roof slabs for a 2,270-square-metre pumping building it is erecting, says assistant site supervisor Tony Touma.

While the two companies have separate contracts with the region and try not to interfere with each other, there is a need for co-operation, says Touma. “We have to build an electrical room to feed their (Maple Reinders) side and there are some line connections and tie-ins.”

There is almost a line right down the middle of the plant separating the firms, who use different entrances, says Jeff Hennings, project manager with Peel Region’s public works department.

Two contracts were issued because the region wanted a competitive bid process and was also concerned one overall contractor might have difficulties in securing bonding and insurance, he says.

New planned growth in northwest Brampton and infill development in Mississauga is the catalyst behind the expansion, which will also introduce new state-of-the-art technology, as well as boosting its capacity.

“We’re incorporating new technology including ultra-filters, membranes, ultraviolet disinfection and advanced oxidation for taste and odour compounds,” he says.

Actual construction started in 2008 and is expected to continue until 2012.

But the roots of the expansion go back to 1999, when it was first identified as a crucial project in a water and wastewater master servicing plan.

An environmental assessment was carried out from 2005 to 2006, and then from 2006 to 2008 the design work was conducted by AECOM, the consulting engineer and project manager, says Hennings.

A major objective is to expand the plant and introduce the new technology without unnecessarily adding to its footprint.

“It’s a huge expansion, but it’s only 60 per cent of what it might have been,” says Hennings, referring to work such as the conversion of the settling tanks into the membrane tanks.

To a large degree, that goal has been driven by the plant’s proximity to residential areas, plus its park setting and somewhat unusual design and construction.

Approximately 95 per cent of the 30-year-old structure is underground because it was built into a series of hills.

As a result, it performs a secondary role as a recreational feature, says Hennings.

“Area school children use the hills for tobogganing and the roof is used as a leash-free dog walking area.”

While those activities are now temporarily halted, the region has committed to returning the plant to its natural condition as soon as possible, he says.

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