Capers Ridge Pump Station Water Plant Project in Texas

Large-Scale Water Infrastructure Project Helps Houston Meet Future Water Supply Demands

Project Background

CWA’s Capers Ridge Pump Station (CRPS) and 96” Diameter Water Transmission Lines, Liberty County, Texas

The Luce Bayou Interbasin Transfer Project (LBITP) is a $351 Million project. The surface water supply project is designed to provide additional water to the Northeast Water Purification Plant that treats water for Harris and Fort Bend Counties. The Capers Ridge Pump Station (CRPS) includes a side river intake and 8-bay pump station which will transfer up to 500 million gallons per day (MGD) to Lake Houston. The CRPS also includes five support buildings (a control building, a maintenance building, an electrical building, and two main disconnect buildings). Water pumps through two 96-inch diameter pipelines over Capers Ridge discharging into Coastal Water Authority’s (CWA) canal system which will convey the water to Lake Houston.

Practice: Construction Materials Engineering and Testing

Sector: Water

Location: Liberty County, Texas

Services: Concrete Testing, Fill Suitability and Compaction Testing, Welding Inspection, On-site Laboratory, Batch Plant Inspection

HVJ Engineers discussing the Luce Bayou Interbasin Transfer Project

The Problem

HVJ  provided on-site construction materials testing and geotechnical consulting services quickly to keep two construction projects on schedule including the CRPS - $50M and Dual 96-inch pipelines ($43M). These projects are critical to meeting the future water needs of the City of Houston (COH).

The Goal

  • To assure that the construction materials provided met project requirements, and to provide quality control testing cost-effectively using onsite resources that kept the project moving on schedule.

Our Solution

HVJ set up an onsite laboratory to reduce the cost of testing and increase the effectiveness of testing. The massive mat foundation of the pump station required driven piles for support. HVJ provided pile-driving inspection and testing for the placement of 3,200 cubic yards of concrete in the pump station mat foundation, a process that lasted more than 14 hours.

The second phase of the project was to install approximately 5,045 LF of 96-inch diameter water transmission line using parallel configuration with open-cut construction method. HVJ provided all required material testing services for monitoring, soil compaction, concrete inspection, and welding inspections.

HVJ supported a proof-out test of the compaction method proposed by the contractor. The technique used two wheels on both sides of the 96” pipe to compact the hunching material which saved construction cost and time and increased construction efficiency.

“CWA has had a very successful experience with HVJ. They understood the complex and challenging work environment and provided excellent quality control testing services.  HVJ’s technicians have a great work ethic.”

David A. Miller, P. E., PMP
Coastal Water Authority

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