To rehabilitate and augment the Wylie Water Treatment Plant’s (WTP) existing filter walls—which had begun deteriorating—the project team on this $10-million endeavor developed a plan that allowed the facility to continue providing essential water services while the necessary upgrades were carried out.

The Wylie WTP’s filter influent and effluent galleries serve as the primary access and filter operations interface for plant staff. But the common wall between the gallery and filters was in poor condition, exhibiting significant leakage and signs of structural distress.

Work began on filter 4, which was believed to have the most significant damage. Addressing this filter first allowed the team to assess the full scope of work needed for the remaining 19 filters.

The team planned the repair process, which involved the careful takedown of approximately 1-5 filters at a time during scheduled shutdown periods. This strategic approach, while reducing water production, allowed the team to efficiently conduct the required repairs and return filters to service promptly. It also ensured an uninterrupted water supply.

To repair each filter, crews carefully demolished down to existing concrete flooring, installed new supports, under drain blocks and applied multiple layers of filter media. The installation of an 8-in.-thick shotcrete augmented wall helped fortify the existing walls, providing essential tensile strength and safeguarding against future damage.