Water

The Washington Aqueduct (WA), a division of the Baltimore District USACE, treated water drawn from the Potomac River to produce drinking water for Washington, DC, and portions of Northern Virginia. Under an IDIQ contract, R2T provided environmental, mechanical, structural, and electrical upgrades to the infrastructure related to the Dalecarlia backwash and clearwell systems. R2T was tasked with field investigations, evaluations, detailed design development (contract documents), 3D modeling, asset registry, permitting, and services during construction to successfully implement the various improvements.

At the Dalecarlia Water Treatment Plant, R2T advanced improvements to the 15 MG and 30 MG clearwells to enhance compliance and operational performance, including upgrades to instrumentation, piping, valving, structural components, and ammonia mixing systems. The project also included hydraulic analysis and design to improve the reliability and redundancy of the backwash recovery pump station and associated power systems. The project required careful coordination within a secure, active facility to maintain continuous operations while implementing critical infrastructure upgrades.

R2T provided engineering and construction management services for the W.J. Hooper Water Production Plant (WPP) Residuals Handling Improvements, Phase I project for the Clayton County Water Authority. The Hooper WPP treats up to 20 million gallons per day and required upgrades to its residuals handling system to improve performance, reliability, and operational flexibility.

The project began with a comprehensive assessment of the existing system, including sludge production calculations, laboratory testing, site inspections, and coordination with plant staff. These findings informed the development of a new system configuration, including a dual-use tank designed to function as both a sludge thickener and a filter backwash holding basin during maintenance operations.

R2T advanced the project through detailed design, developing a full design-bid-build package including technical specifications and construction documents. Improvements included the addition of a new sludge thickener, a sludge pumping vault, replacement of the existing sludge collection system with a chain and flight system, division of the washwater holding basin into two compartments, and conversion of existing thickeners into sludge holding tanks. Additional upgrades included modifications to solids handling conveyors and installation of a truck scale.

R2T also led permitting efforts and provided full construction administration and on-site management services. A full-time resident inspector coordinated with plant staff and contractors, monitored construction progress, and ensured compliance with contract documents. The result is a more efficient, flexible residuals handling system that supports long-term plant operations.

R2T supported the City of Atlanta Water Supply Program, delivering design for a 4-mile, 10-foot diameter tunnel conveying raw water from the Chattahoochee River to the Bellwood Quarry Water Storage Facility. The project included multiple pump stations and a complex hydraulic system integrating gravity flow, open channels, diversion gates, and pumping. R2T led hydraulic modeling, pump selection, and pump station design, introducing solutions that reduced footprint and improved constructability. The system allows bi-directional flow, gravity-driven supply for up to three days, and flexible operations between facilities, improving overall resilience and efficiency. R2T was responsible for planning and preliminary engineering, detailed design, and coordination through final design and implementation of the system.