Clarksville Gas & Water, North Clarksville Water Treatment Plant

Over the last decade, Clarksville, Tennessee has experienced significant population growth and their associated potable water demands have increased largely driven by industrial growth in the area from the likes of Google, LG, Hankook, and Trane. To allow Clarksville Gas & Water (CGW) to meet these continued growing water demands, SSR led a multidisciplinary team of professionals that included numerous subconsultants to design a new 16 MGD water treatment plant to supplement the existing 30 MGD water treatment facility. 

The goal of the North Clarksville Water Treatment Plant (NCWTP) was to duplicate the processes at the existing South Clarksville Water Treatment Plant (SCWTP) as much as possible for ease of operations and maintenance. The new plant incorporates the same technologies as the existing plant including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and membrane filtration. One notable change from the existing plant is the inclusion of pressurized GAC contactors downstream of the membranes.  

The contactors at the NCWTP will provide additional Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and geosmin/MIB (2-methylisoberneol) removal and provide CGW with additional tools to treat against emerging contaminants. The contactors design also incorporates a bypass feature that allows filtered water to bypass the contactors all together in winter months when geosmin/MIB levels are lower. This bypass will provide operational flexibility and extend the life of the carbon by removing the units online.  

The NCWTP is located on a greenfield site downstream of the confluence of the Cumberland River and Red River. The first phase of design and construction was for 16 MGD, but SSR provided significant planning during the initial design to allow CGW to eventually easily expand the new facility to treat up to 36 MGD. SSR provided all utility designs for the site in house including water, wastewater, electrical, natural gas, communications, roadway, grading and drainage, and provided stub outs and ties in for these components for a seamless transition for future expansions. 

The staff and leadership at Clarksville Gas & Water have openly voiced their appreciation for our team in this project. Water Division Manager Chris Lambert expressed that the overall project team created a positive environment and was efficient in meeting goals. Water Operations Division Assistant Manager Chris Cherry was grateful for our team’s creativity given the time constraints of the project, with constant representation during the design process. Our collaboration with both Mr. Lambert and Mr. Cherry has led to further successful projects with Clarksville Gas & Water.