New clearwells and a high service pump station upgrade at the South Milwaukee Water Utility is recognized as a 2019 Project of the Year Nominee by the Wisconsin Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

Built in 1910, the South Milwaukee Water Plant is the oldest water filtration facility in Wisconsin. Prior to this project, the Utility was operating with two in-ground clearwells (north and south) connected to a high service pump station that provided finished water to the distribution system. The WDNR determined that these clearwells were not compliant with current code.

This project addressed those code deficiencies while utilizing existing structures where possible, maximizing water storage, and minimizing operational impacts during construction. Work included demolition of flocculation/sedimentation basins currently used as raw water storage, construction of two new pre-stressed concrete clearwells (90-foot diameter, 18-foot side water depth, 750,000 gallons each), a new 6‑million-gallon-per-day high service pump station, and repurposing of the existing north and south clearwells for intake flushing and raw water storage.

Project constraints included a high groundwater table, an extremely congested site, and the need to maintain lake views for residents and the public. The recently completed project met the project goals set forth under budget and ahead of the compliance schedule.

Donohue served as the design engineer and provided construction related services. The clearwells were constructed by DN Tanks and Staab Construction built the new High Service Pump Station.

The Wisconsin Section AWWA Project of the Year award is established to promote and recognize excellence in engineering, design, or construction in the Wisconsin drinking water industry.