B&L engineered a new 1.0 mgd membrane microfiltration water treatment facility, 0.75 mg concrete CT/storage tank at the treatment facility, raw water intake improvements, replacement of about 3 miles of the raw water transmission main, replacement of about 0.5 mile of finished water transmission main, and other water system improvements to meet a state-mandated requirement for filtration. B&L also assisted the Village in preparing the Operations and Maintenance Manual, treatment plant startup and operator training by one of our Grade 1A licensed operators, and relocated the water main that was underneath Broadway Avenue.

The Village of Saranac Lake initially desired to pursue a “dual source scenario” to provide the Village’s water system with two independent water supply sources.  This scenario included slow sand filtration for the existing surface water source, and a proposed groundwater source to provide the Village with a secondary and backup water supply. 

The “Dual Source Option” required a pilot study to verify the performance of the proposed slow sand filtration process, and a preliminary groundwater investigation to determine the feasibility of developing a groundwater source with sufficient capacity. Parallel to the pilot study, the team conducted the initial groundwater study.  The groundwater investigation was successful in locating a unique subsurface esker deposit along the Saranac River Valley capable of sustaining multiple wells upwards of 4.0 million gallons per day.  A test production well yielded amazing results of only a 7’ drawdown of the nearly 150’ deep water table at a pumping rate of more than 3,000 gallons per minute (or ~MGD).  Following these preliminary results, the Village decided to pursue a single water supply source consisting of two wells, each capable of providing 4.0 MGD.  

 The improvements to address source and water system deficiencies include the development of:

• two wells, each capable of pumping 3.5 MGD
• 10,000 LF 16” DIP of transmission main a 1,150,000 gallon concrete water storage tank
• distribution system improvements
• instrumentation and control systems located at both the well head control building and the tank sites including a new SCADA system and radio telemetry communication  

The system was designed for future capacity including possibility of supplying the state and federal correctional facilities in Ray Brook with municipal water service from the Village as well as the prospect of 15 to 20 percent growth in the village.  The project received funding in the form of a $10.5 million, zero-interest loan for 30 years, a $2.0 million grant, and $1.0 million grant through the Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP), for water meters throughout the village, part of the federal ARRA stimulus monies. 

This project won a Gold Award for Engineering Excellence in the category of Water Resources from the American Council of Engineering Companies, New York.