Mariners Landing Water System

The developers of Mariners Landing, an up-scale residential and commercial development at Smith Mountain Lake in Bedford County, Virginia, commissioned ACS DESIGN to assist with numerous improvements and expansions to its existing water system. Public water is not provided in this area of Bedford County and it has become necessary for the Mariners Landing developers to plan for and provide their own water system needed to support the development of nearly 1,000 acres of multi-use property including high rise condominiums, single-family residential, new commercial development, and an 18-hole golf course. The water system derives its entire source of water from a series of ground water wells that have been strategically located throughout the planned community. Water is pumped from the ground to a central water treatment facility where the water is treated to remove naturally occurring iron and manganese concentrations that are present in the local groundwater. After treatment, the water is boosted through a booster pump station to an atmospheric groundwater storage tank where water is then distributed to the Mariners Landing water customers through a conventional water piping distribution network.

The Mariners Landing Water Treatment Plant is housed in a simple building located near the geographic center of the development. The treatment facility consists of a Green Sand Filter System that provides mineral removal (iron and manganese) as well as disinfection. The treatment facility can be expanded to provide capacity for approximately 1,250 water customers. Construction was completed in 2005.

The Green Sand Filter system consists of six 42-inch diameter filter vessels filled with glauconitic green sand, torpedo sand, and activated charcoal. The treatment system is supplemented by potassium permanganate which is used to regenerate the reactive sand media and extend filter life cycle. Additional treatment includes pH buffering using soda ash and disinfection with chlorine.

The green sand filter system is simple to operate and is extremely reliable. Routine maintenance involves chemical replenishment and backwashing of the filter vessels during the regeneration cycle.

Potassium Permanganate, soda ash, and chlorine tanks are the only chemicals used to provide a very effective water treatment process.

A duplex alternating booster pump arrangement draws water from a 35,000 gallon raw water tank and then pumps through the green sand filter system. A series of in-line flow sensors detect water flow through the system and activates the chemical feed pumps that administer necessary water treatment chemicals.

Currently, there are 10 active wells pumping water to the water treatment facility. Each well has its own metered connection to the filter building prior to discharge to the raw water tank.

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