The Kaneohe-Kailua Wastewater Conveyance and Treatment-Facilities Project were initiated to address a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency consent decree to improve Windward Oahu’s wastewater collection and treatment system by June 30, 2018. This upgrade and construction project, budgeted at $375 million, was the largest wastewater treatment system enhancement program ever undertaken by Honolulu and would require cooperation and collaboration of proven and experienced project partners.

The project had several significant components, including a 3-mile long and 10-foot-diameter gravity sewer tunnel connecting the Kailua facility to the Kaneohe Wastewater Pretreatment Facility to increase wastewater conveyance and storage capacity. This part of the project featured a deep 45 million gal/day (MGD) 40,000-sq-ft Tunnel Influent Pump Station (TIPS), designed by Brown and Caldwell, to lift the wastewater to the surface for treatment. The work scope also included two additional buildings, a 12,000-sq-ft Headworks Facility and a 10,000-sq-ft Generator Building.

The Victaulic approach employed robust, grooved mechanical couplings that are easy to assemble in tight spaces and can be installed up to three times faster than flanged joints using only a socket wrench or impact gun. The solutions included couplings, fittings, flange adaptors, and Vic-Press products, ranging in sizes from ½” – 30”. Victaulic provided solutions for stainless steel and HDPE pipe that was utilized at the facility. Some of the products that were utilized include:

• Style 31 Vic-Ring Couplings
• Style 107N QuickVic Rigid Coupling
• Style 489 Stainless Steel Rigid Coupling
• Vic-Press Products
• Style 905 Coupling for Plain End HDPE
• Style 995 Coupling for Plain End HDPE

Today, the updated and expanded Kailua Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant facility serves a population of more than 106,000, processing 53 million l/day (14 million gal/day). With this facility successfully up and running, the City and County of Honolulu have reduced energy consumption and are helping to protect the environment.

Publications

Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade: Stemming the Tide, Water & Waste Digest