Town of Jupiter Nanofiltration Plant, JUPITER, FL

VALUE DELIVERED

Expert professional installation of a leading-edge filtration process; effective regulatory compliance; more aesthetically attractive water for improved customer satisfaction; use of variable-frequency drives and other equipment to improve energy efficiency; effective odor control; ability to adjust pH; reliable emergency backup; implementation of center port skid design and highly efficient membrane elements to substantially reduce annual operating costs; performance testing to tight tolerances to ensure operational excellence.

CLIENT OBJECTIVES

To improve its water treatment process.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

In 2008, the client decided to replace its aging lime softening process with state-of-the-art nanofiltration membrane treatment for cleaning its surficial aquifer raw water supply. The upgraded treatment process ensures continued compliance with the Disinfectant/Disinfection By-Product (D/DBP) Rule under recent amendments to the USEPA Safe Drinking Water Act. By comparison with the old process, the new one removes naturally occurring dissolved organic materials more efficiently and noticeably improves water clarity.

With its extensive background in the construction of Florida’s water and wastewater treatment plants, Poole & Kent was the right choice to provide the proposed upgrades. The company’s scope of work – approximately 50 percent of which was self-performed – called for construction of a 2,480 s.f. pre-treatment building and a 28,300 s.f. membrane facility, as well as installation of all process equipment, including:

In addition, Poole & Kent purchased, received, and coordinated loading of the membrane elements, which were pre-selected by the client. The company also coordinated a 36-hour process performance test, during which stringent water quality and process performance parameters were monitored. Performance testing began in August 2010, and the project was completed in October 2010. Following project completion, the client praised the company for its professionalism, willingness to work cooperatively with the client’s on-site personnel, ongoing value-engineering efforts, and ability to make facility enhancements even during the project.

SOLUTIONS

The nanofiltration skids used in this project employ a unique design which was implemented for the first time in the United States. The design reduces pressure loss within the pressure vessels by shortening the length of the feedwater flow, substantially diminishing pumping power requirements and cutting electrical costs. In addition, this membrane process incorporates elements with a very high “mass transfer coefficient,” providing more finished water per unit of applied energy. These two design features combined reduce power consumption by approximately 40 percent over traditional designs, saving the client a projected $250,000 annually in operating costs.

BACKGROUND

The Town of Jupiter’s water treatment plant serves Jupiter, Tequesta, and parts of unincorporated Palm Beach and Martin counties.

OPERATING COMPANY:
Poole & Kent Company of Florida

CLIENT:
Town of Jupiter, FL

DESIGN ENGINEER:
Hazen & Sawyer

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER:
Kimley-Horn & Associates

GENERAL CONTRACTOR:
Poole & Kent Company of Florida

SCHEDULE:
February 2008 to October 2010

COST:
$36 million

	Traditional Delivery
	Design-Build
	Construction Management
	Prime Contractor
	New Construction
	Retrofit/Renovation
	Existing Facility