2006 Winning Essay
Chippewa Middle School
Shoreview, Minnesota
Kim Williams Site Redevelopment
2192 Feasibility Report
Prepared for the City of Joukai
1.0 Introduction
This report has been prepared for the redevelopment of the Kim Williams site, a 5-acre parcel of land at the northwest corner of the intersection of Kim Street and Williams Avenue in the city of Joukai.
2.0 Availability of Water and Sewer Utilities
2.1 Water Quality and Quantity
Existing Conditions
Our multiple wells adequately supply water to the area. After recent treatment, the water has tested safe for consumption, at less than 20 ppb of pollutants from gasoline, including methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), volatile organic compounds (VOC), benzene, and petroleum hydrocarbons.
Proposed Improvements
No direct improvements to water quality and quantity are needed. However, due to our rapidly growing population, installation has begun on a new waste management system, the thermal depolymerization process (TDP). A byproduct of this process is purified water, which provides more water throughout the city.
2.2 Age and Condition of Existing Mains, Wells, and Sanitary Sewer Lines
Existing Conditions
The existing mains are composed of ductile iron pipes installed in the late 2020’s. The pipes have been impacted by corrosion and water main breakages throughout the area. Wells in the site vary in age, and are still in good, working condition. Sewer lines in the area are composed of aged clay pipes, which have also had frequent breakages, causing an insufficient sewer capacity.
Proposed Improvements
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes will replace the existing water mains. HDPE pipes are more durable and have less breakage. Because the wells are in good condition, there is no need to replace or fix them, beyond consistent monitoring and maintenance. Sanitary sewer lines will be replaced with smart polyvinyl chloride (SPVC) pipes, which can sense breaks and clogs within the pipe, as well as impurities in the water.
3.0 Transportation Access
3.1 Condition of Surrounding Roads and Pavements
Existing Conditions
The area has access to traditional above-ground bituminous and concrete roads. The condition of our road system remains high quality with the help of constant maintenance.
Proposed Improvements
Our city has begun to employ a new underground transportation system, Kim William’s Transportation Technology (KWTT). This technology consists of subsurface levels of transportation including individual transportation, mass transit, and transportation of goods. These levels can be accessed through transit hubs in all zones of Joukai. As our city relies more on KWTT, there will be an increase in the longevity of our existing roadways.
3.2 Availability of Mass Transit and Pedestrian Access
Existing Conditions
Bus stops, located every two blocks, provide service and access for the city, including the Kim Williams area. In addition, there is an existing concrete sidewalk system, in conjunction with the roadways in commercial and residential areas.
Proposed Conditions
The mass transit system will be relocated to a subsurface infrastructure (KWTT), allowing for a faster and more convenient commute. Transit hubs will replace bus stations, providing direct descent into the mass transit system connected to the Kim Williams plot.
4.0 Soil Analysis and Identification
4.1 Soil Identification and Characteristics
Existing Conditions
Soil borings at the site revealed that soils in the area are loamy. After total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) analysis, soil was revealed to have a level of 1246 ppm of petroleum contaminants.
Proposed Improvements
Former standards stated any leak larger than 100 gallons took priority. New standards in the city of Joukai require all leaks be remediated. The 73-gallon leak from the abandoned underground storage tank at the gasoline station will be treated with low temperature thermal desorption (LTTD).
4.2 Evidence of Pollution and Sedimentation in Running and Standing Water
Existing Conditions
After testing of nearby ponds, there are no traces of MTBE. There is little or no erosion in the area, so sedimentation is not a concern.
Proposed Improvements
No improvements are needed.
5.0 Role of the Environmental Engineer
The environmental engineers recommended testing options for detection of contaminants in the water and soil, as well as developing remediation plans for the site. They assisted other engineers in the design of the water supply system including our state-of-the-art SPVC pipes. In addition, our TDP system was designed with the cooperation of several engineering fields, relying heavily on environmental engineers.
Bibliography
CRC Journals: Soil Sedimentation and Contamination. 2002. CRC Press LLC. 7 November 2005.
< http://www.crcjournals.com/products/journl-info.asp?id=ssc >The Dangers Beneath Us/Buried Gas, Oil Tanks are Leaking Out by the Thousands. Threatening LI’s Aquifers as NY Eases Cleanup Rules. Steven Milloy. 23 August 1998. West Lake Solutions. 21 November 2005.
< http://www.junkscience.com/news3/nylirbca.htm >Effective Cleanup of Gasoline Spills. Jackson Spain. 8 November 2005. Virginia Technical Institute. 10 November 2005.
< http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/archives/2001/01432.html >Fact Sheet #2: Remediation of MTBE Contaminated Soil and Groundwater. January 1998. United States Environmental Protection Agency. 21 November 2005.
< www.epa.gov/OUST/mtbe/ >Guidelines for Treatment and Disposal of Petroleum Contaminated Soil at Municipal Waste Disposal Grounds. December 1995. Saskatchewan. Environment and Resource Management. 15 November 2005.
< http://www.se.gov.sk.ca/environment/protection/standards/Guidelines_treatment3.pdf >Land Procedures for the Remediation of Diesel and Gasoline Spills. Steven Thompson. 14 May 2003. Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. 7 November 2005.
< http://www.deq.state.ok.us/factsheets/land.deiselspills.pdf >Phyto-remediation of Metals. Miljøbutikken Læderstræde. 2000. Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences. 7 November 2005.
< http://www.mst.dk/project/nyviden/2000/0701000.htm >Safe Water Delivered Safely. Chlorine Chemistry Council. 5 December 2005.
< http://c3.org/chlorine_knowledge_center/safewater.html >Soil Contamination in the South Valley of the Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico. Doris Tischler. University of New Mexico Albuquerque. 7 November 2005.
< http://www.unm.edu/~abqteach/EnvirCus/99-03-10.htm >Soil Layers Diagram. 21 November 2005. Enchanted Learning. 21 November 2005.
< http://www.enchantedlearning.com/geology/labe/soillayers >Soil Remediation: Low Temperature Thermal Desorption. 19 November 2005. Environmental Contaminants and Nuclear Programs Division of Canada.
< http://ww.on.ec.gc.ca/pollution/ecnpd/tabs/tab13-e.html >
