Grand Rapids Uses a Novel Approach for the Market Avenue Force Main Project

Grand Rapids, the second largest city in Michigan, was looking to optimize treatment at their Grand Rapids Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF). Two companies, Founders Brewing Company and SET Environmental, were adding a higher strength waste stream to the WRRF through the conventional collection system. However, without equalization of this waste, the biological treatment process at the WRRF was not functioning efficiently. The city worked with engineer, Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc. (HRC Consulting Engineers) to find a solution to get these specific, high-strength flows effectively incorporated.

The solution consisted of a new 8,300-foot, 10-inch force main specific to these flows although it carried a couple of unique design considerations. The discharge temperature of the flows from Founders Brewery ranged from 64˚F to 89˚F. Additionally, the preferred alignment would place the force main under Market Avenue, one of the oldest streets in the city. This area is a maze of existing underground infrastructure dating back more than 100 years.

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