Oshkosh replacing aging drinking water tanks with $54.7M project

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By JUSTIN MARVILLE

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

OSHKOSH – The city is officially in the process of replacing its drinking water storage tanks.

Oshkosh should have two new tanks by the end of 2029 after recently breaking ground on a $54.7 million Clearwells Replacement Project at the Water Filtration Plant along Lake Shore Drive.

Director of Engineering and Utilities James Rabe was on hand with City Manager Rebecca Grill and Mayor Matt Mugerauer at the plant May 6 as the city began replacing its aging underground storage tanks.

“Projects like this represent the kind of investment people may not always see but they rely on every day,” said Grill at the official groundbreaking ceremony.

“When a system is working the way it should, most people never have to think about it and that’s exactly the point,” Grill added.

What is the Clearwells Replacement Project?

The project will see the construction of two 1 million-gallon reservoirs above ground and a new pump station designed to pump 16 million gallons a day at the Water Filtration Plant.

• The project will also result in the following:
• The installation of emergency generators to replace aging units;
• a new low lift pumping system to replace the aging system;
• chemical feed piping changes to address new NR 811 requirements; and
• buried process piping connections to improve operational reliability and flexibility for maintenance.

Construction is slated to finish around October 2029, with the project coming online in stages.

Why is there a need for the project?

Chapter NR 811 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code dictates that water storage tanks and pump stations be located above the groundwater table and 100-year flood plain.

Oshkosh’s three tanks are currently below ground water level and changes to the previous standards prohibit the storage and associated buried gravity piping and pump stations to be in direct contact with groundwater.

The aging tanks are also thought to be in relatively poor condition given that two of the three tanks are more than 110 years old while the other is 65.

“The Clearwells Replacement Project ensures the city of Oshkosh will continue to meet and exceed modern drinking water standards, continue providing upwards of 16 million gallons per day of clean, safe, reliable drinking water to this community, which is one of our core municipal functions,” said Mugerauer.

“Not only will these upgrades provide increased storage capacity, they will enhance water quality, monitoring and incorporate modern security features that strengthen the reliability and resilience of our water system,” Mugerauer added.

Will there be restrictions to Lake Shore Drive during the project?

Rabe said Lake Shore Drive will be closed during construction to protect public safety and maintain site security at the Water Filtration Plant.
Public access to the lake on the east end of Merritt Avenue and the park area east of Lake Shore Drive will remain open.