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Doe Run Water Treatment Program
Project Information
- Project Location:
- Saint Louis, MO
- Approx Contract:
- $50,000,000
- Status:
- Completed
- Structure Type:
- Sewage / Water Treatment Plant
Scope Of Work
Cleaning mine water under an EPA consent order
An Alberici design-build joint venture constructed five wastewater treatment plants for The Doe Run Company at mines throughout southeast Missouri. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a consent order to Doe Run for the treatment of mine runoff and waste, which required the plants to be constructed on a very aggressive schedule. Through our thoughtful planning and precise execution, Doe Run was not accessed penalties from the EPA associated with this consent order.
Innovative approach to remove impurities
The five treatment plants range in capacity from 7.2MGD to 26MGD. The facilities use the CoMag System, a ballasted flocculation process that employs a combination of chemical treatment with the addition of mineral magnetite. This allows for removal of heavy metals and other contaminates from the mining wastewater and tailings pond water.
Adding capacity with minimal investment
During design and construction of the first plant, the team discovered potential to treat an even greater volume of water than originally anticipated. The Alberici team worked with Doe Run to carefully analyze the flow of water through the treatment process and identify opportunities for processing improvements. The team proposed alternative equipment, nearly doubling the plant’s capacity without a large capital increase. To prepare other plants in the program for future capacity increases, the Alberici team installed piping and valves to accommodate additional pumps, treatment equipment, and basins.
Building on unimproved sites
All five treatment plants were constructed on unimproved sites with minimal existing infrastructure. The Alberici joint venture worked with Doe Run to maximize the layout for each site while minimizing impact. Previously uninhabited sites required land clearing, utilities, and access roads, many of which were constructed through forested land. Alberici encountered a significant amount of rock working on these unimproved sites. By using our own equipment fleet, the project team was able to maintain the aggressive project schedule.
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