South End, Bennington, VT

Water Line Extension and System Upgrades

At a Glance
  • Client: Town of Bennington
  • Location: South End of Bennington, VT
  • Dates: 2010-2025
  • Services Provided:
    • Survey
    • Design
    • Easement Plan
    • Hydraulic Modeling
    • DWSRF Funding Submissions

Challenge

Improvements have been needed on an ongoing basis to the public drinking water distribution system in areas of Bennington experiencing low or negative water pressure (below the minimum requirement of 20psi) during fire flow events, increasing the risk of water contamination. In 2008, the State of Vermont established a compliance schedule requiring these low-pressure conditions to be corrected.

Solution

Over the last decade, we have progressively eliminated low pressure conditions by installing a new tank to create a new pressure zone (we also facilitated an early mobilization "South End" zone) in the system and replaced distribution mains to improve hydraulics. This has been a multi-year project for MSK that has included a new pump station, storage tank, and the installation of over a mile of new water main. The scope of construction has included trenching, removal of existing asphalt and subbase, removal of existing concrete sidewalks, installation of water main, thrust blocks, hydrants, curb stops, installation of water main under Dewey Brook, and restoration of multiple streetscapes.

Results

Remaining work includes replacement of 7,500 ft of water main along multiple residential streets. Water main replacement will include the installation of 8" ductile iron pipe, 14 new fire hydrants, 4 new flush hydrants, and pressure and disinfection testing. Since the DWSRF program requires the passing of a bond vote before the projects are funded, MSK presented the case for a positive vote to the Select Board during a public information hearing in January 2023. This bond vote reflected the final $4,000,000.00 of remaining work on the project. So far, the project total is $7,300,000.00 ($6,000,000.00 DWSRF funded, $1,300,000.00 Non-DWSRF funded).

2024 PFAS Discovery

In 2024, PFAS were discovered in private drinking water wells to the south of the existing municipal system. MSK assessed potential water main extensions to this area and the subsequent interplay between new and existing mains. Modeling confirmed a benefit to hydraulic capacity and water quality to the existing south end pressure zone by incorporating new looped lines to existing lines. If a water main expansion project is confirmed, the need to upsize existing mains currently slated for replacement will be significantly reduced.