Whether you’re initiating a project from scratch, moving or expanding operations, building a water treatment plant requires careful consideration. Every component — from location, energy efficiency and technological advancement — is embedded in a thoughtful water treatment plant blueprint.

Considering these concepts before embarking on the building journey should help lay a solid groundwork for seamless operations when running at full force.

1. A Comprehensive Visualization of the Project

Goals are the cornerstone of any building project. The facility must know its industry specialties to incorporate the right technology and begin construction in the correct location. Visualization will advise goal-setting, such as if the plant will treat domestic, storm or industrial sewage. Sometimes this ties into more significant objectives, such as building a wastewater treatment plant to treat areas without services.

Answering basic questions like that will provide springboards for the following queries. What will the design be and can it contain the necessary infrastructure for performance metrics? Can it be ergonomic and fit within a chosen area neatly so no unnecessary resources need to be expended?

The purpose of the water treatment will guide equipment acquisition, budget and stakeholder influence. A budget then directs performance and efficiency expectations. If a water treatment plant build has a larger wallet, it can invest in higher-performing technologies for more upscale operations.

2. The Bidding Process

Visualizing the project beforehand is vital, no matter what kind of bid you choose. A complex bid project delegates responsibility out of your hands in an already daunting task, leaving many decisions to another party. Even though you get a pre-bid walk to evaluate the plan, it doesn’t give as much freedom as an alternative project delivery method.

If you want to shoulder more responsibility, that may be the best option for creating a more collaborative atmosphere. Alternative project delivery involves more voices from different angles to provide expert insight. An approach like this is more time-consuming and hands-on, so it’s up to the individual circumstances to determine how much of the process should be outsourced.

3. Environmental Impact

Assessing environmental impact is more critical now than ever as sustainable development goals prioritize water access and equality. Would it be in the company’s ecological interest to air strip versus stream strip and how does that decision interact with the rest of the water treatment plant? It could depend on how many volatile organic compounds are naturally in the area.

Regardless, environmental impact helps the plant and the planet — there are incentives for leaning into eco-friendly alternatives. On top of renewable energy savings, experimental, green water purification methods like biomass could create purer water for the service area while increasing the sector’s knowledge on the subject.

Visualization and discussions during the bidding phase should consider environmental aspects to avoid wasted resources and reworking. The objective is to avoid expensive and wasteful overhauls significantly into the process.

4. Monitoring the Construction Location

After deciding on the perfect plot of land with easy access to your choice of primarily ground or surface water, that’s when building can commence. Once a company decides on a dream location for the water treatment plant, you may want to observe construction as it happens.

It’s critical not to micromanage, especially if involving contractors. The success and efficiency of the build rely on morale and adequate oversight. Ensure the space is used as intended, maximizing and optimizing the area for state-of-the-art construction for housing newly built equipment.

You can also monitor efficiency by implementing software and Internet of Things (IoT) technology to gather metrics. Accountability increases when external factors motivate workers to achieve. Checklists and task verification are a few examples of productivity management integrations, so everyone is constantly updated on progress and aware of project divergences.

5. Compliance With Industry Standards

As federal regulations continue to shift and specify, reviewing public health and building regulation is crucial for building a water treatment plant. The access impacts this extensively as the water source will determine the appropriate equipment to filter the area’s common contaminants.

Every step — from removing grit to disinfection — should align with regional codes. Different areas will require varied materials. For example, water laden with particular toxins could require specialized equipment or treatment methods. Then, investing in safe waste disposal adds more layers to the compliance puzzle.

The size of the facility also matters. Though many compliance guidelines overlap no matter the scale, it’s vital to know what applies most to a water treatment plant build based on its specs.

A Total Plan for How to Build a Water Treatment Plant

Construction has countless moving parts, from contractors to laying foundations. Every aspect is essential for creating a robust plant, no matter how small — nothing is worth overlooking. Tiny and influential decisions direct the success of a water treatment plant as they compound over time, yielding operational and financial results and returns.