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City of North Vernon, Indiana
Water Supply and Water Treatment Studies (August 2004)

Two reports were prepared for the City of North Vernon Water Utility. One examined the existing water treatment facility’s ability to meet current and proposed surface water treatment requirements. The raw water from the Muscatatuck River is challenging to treat. A second study examined options for water supply that included the use of existing facility with raw water improvements, purchase of treated water, and development of a groundwater supply. The reports were used for planning and decision making purposes. The Phase V Improvements were separated into two distinct funding projects in consecutive years. The Rose Hill Treatment and Distribution Improvements ($6,500,000) are nearly complete and the East End Treatment, Wells, and Distribution Improvements ($10,500,000) are under construction. We provided planning, design, bidding, and construction services.

City of North Vernon, Indiana
Treatment Assistance for Disinfection By-Products and Others (2006)

RLM Engineering, Inc. provided assistance to examine and recommend operation improvements for reducing the formation of disinfection by-products. This work was necessary to provide information to IDEM for efforts to maintain compliance with regulations. RLM Engineering, Inc. also continues to contribute reports and information to be included in grant applications for improvements to the water system.

City of North Vernon, Indiana
North Vernon Redevelopment Commission
Upland Storage Reesevoir [Quarry] Study (May 2013)

The water supply to the City of North Vernon, Indiana is dependent upon the flow of water in the Muscatatuck River and supplemental flow from the Brush Creek Reservoir. A study was conducted to review the potential use and benefits of the existing stone quarry “hole” for use as an upland storage reservoir.

Design and Construction Projects

City of North Vernon, Indiana
Low Lift Pumps Replacement (2008)

The pumping of water from a river has many similarities with the pumping of wastewater. Rough screening is needed and the pumps must be capable of handling solids that pass the screen.


The City of North Vernon, Indiana utilizes the Muscatatuck River for source water for treatment. The low lift station receives water from the river and pumps the water to the treatment facility. The low lift station building dates to around 1930 with the pumps dating to 1950’s and 1960’s. The line shaft pumps were maintenance issues with repair parts for the pump, shaft, bearings, motors, etc. difficult to obtain. The older pumps and motors were also lower efficiency.

The pump replacement project removed the existing pumps, shafts, and motors and replaced with dry pit submersible pumps. VFD’s were added and the station was changed from 240 volt to 480 volt electric service. The project improved the reliability of the station as well as reduced maintenance and power costs.

The project bid cost was $196,630.00 with the final completed cost of $201,694.23. RLM Engineering, Inc. personnel involved with the project included Richard Morin and Ron Ratcliff.

City of North Vernon, Indiana
Surface Water Treatment Facility Improvements (2010-2011)

RLM Engineering, Inc. provided the planning, design, and construction services for many treatment facility improvements. As noted previously, the raw water pump station was upgraded. Using State Revolving Funds (SRF) and OCRA grant funds, a significant upgrade was made to the treatment facility. The primary component was the removal of a settling tank and the construction of a solids contact clarifier for the treatment of surface water. Due to the site constraints, the new concrete structure had to be located in the same location as the existing structure being removed. The treatment facility had constructed one solids contact clarifier in the late 1990’s. The older settling tank remained, but created issues with treatment due to disinfection by-product production as well as having structural concerns from the age of the tank. In addition, the project improvements included the construction of a pre-treatment tank and SCADA improvements.

The original project bid was $1,359,000.00. The final cost of the project was $1,379,996.75 or within 1.6% of the original bid. RLM Engineering, Inc. personnel involved in the planning, design and construction of the project included Richard Morin, Ron Ratcliff, Adam Barringer, and Jim Lewis (LJ Engineering).

Surface Water Treatment Facility Improvements (2012-2013)

Upon completion of the originally designed project (see above), there were unused SRF project funds. An additional project was developed to utilize the leftover funds. The left over funds were used to provide automatic valves for the six filter cells in the water plant.

The bid price was $422,553.00 with the final construction cost of $444,248.12. The personnel involved with the planning, design, and construction were Richard Morin, Ron Ratcliff, and Adam Barringer.

Surface Water Treatment Facility Improvement (2014)

A 2014 improvement project is in operation at the Water Treatment facility. The project re-purposed an existing buried concrete clearwell structure into an equipment “basement” area with the construction of a new laboratory and offices above the existing structure. The equipment included ultra-violet disinfection and pumps, backwash piping and pump, meters, etc. Other components include the installation of an air wash grid in each of the six filter cells, recycle pumping, and SCADA improvements.

The 2014 Improvement Project began in early 2014 with the bid price of $1,406,511.00. The cost after change orders was $1,426,477.34, for about a 1.5% change. The personnel involved with the planning, design, and construction are Richard Morin, Ron Ratcliff, Ken DeLap II, Adam Barringer, and Jim Lewis (LJ Engineering).

Upland Storage Resevoir (2015)

Design is currently underway for the conversion of the Stone Quarry Pit into an upland storage reservoir. This project is a part of environmental mitigation measures for the protection of the drinking water supply for the water utility. The project includes the construction of new river intakes, pumping, reservoir intake and withdrawal, and piping to connect to the existing water treatment facility. It is anticipated that the reservoir will store up to 300 Millions Gallons of water.

RLM Engineering, Inc. has also provided water main design projects for highway relocations, and interconnection and looping of mains.

City of North Vernon, Indiana
Wastewater and Storm Water Projects

RLM Engineering, Inc. has provided planning, design, and construction services for the Wastewater Department of the North Vernon, Indiana City Utilities. The Wastewater Utility Contact is Russell Vaught, Superintendent at (812) 592-3304 or Mayor Harold (Soup) Campbell at (812) 346-3789.

Wastewater Treatment Facility Headworks - 2011

The headwork improvement project was designed by another consultant. RLM Engineering, Inc. provided construction services (Representative Project Representation) for the project. The result was lower fees with another set of eyes on the project. Personnel involved were Richard Morin and Adam Barringer.

2011 Storm Sewer

A storm sewer project provided storm sewers in four different areas of the city. The project was designed by another consultant. RLM Engineering, Inc. provided part-time construction services (Representative Project Representation) for the project. While utility personnel often provide inspection for the sewer installation, the part-time service had the ability of covering multiple crews while allowing the city staff to cover other intermittent issues. Personnel involved were Richard Morin and Adam Barringer.

2011 Sanitary Collection Odor Issue

RLM Engineering, Inc. assisted the wastewater department in a solution for a sanitary odor issue occurring along a major street in the City. A review or study was done to determine the source which was a force main with long detention times (especially in dryer weather conditions). The force main discharged into a manhole near the major street and residential area. The hydrogen sulfide concentration was monitored and was found to be at elevated levels. A daily flushing scheme was programmed into the lift station which resulted in significantly reduced hydrogen sulfide concentrations. Richard Morin provided assistance to the utility.

2012-13 Force Main Relocation

The US 50 Bypass project resulted in the need to relocate a 6 inch diameter force main along State Highway 3. RLM Engineering, Inc. provided the planning, design, bidding, and contract administration services for this project. We provided coordination with INDOT and developed the approved work plan as well as assisted the City with obtaining reimbursement from INDOT for the project. We also provided part time assistance in monitoring the construction of the project. The project bid amount was $67,133.50 with a change order amount of $4,519.44 caused by a realignment of the force main by INDOT after the bid for the final cost of $71,652.94. RLM Engineering, Inc. personnel involved included Richard Morin, James M West, and Adam Barringer.

East US 50 Bypass Wastewater Coordination and Design

The US 50 Bypass for North Vernon was conducted in two phases. The second phase of construction is scheduled to start in 2014. The first phase required the force main relocation noted above. The second phase will also impact the collection system and will require the relocation of sections of two force mains, and a section of gravity sewer. RLM Engineering, Inc. provided the coordination, work plan, and design for the required relocation. The difference with this project versus the prior force main project is that the relocation work is incorporated into the INDOT project and paid by INDOT. RLM Engineering, Inc. personnel involved included Richard Morin and James M West.

Storm Water Design

The City used RLM Engineering, Inc. to plan, design, bid and provide general oversight of the construction for the Franklin/Scott Streets Storm Sewer in 2013, the 5th Street Storm Sewer Improvements in 2014, and the Gilbert Street Storm Sewer Improvements in 2015. RLM Engineering, Inc. personnel included Richard Morin, Ron Ratcliff, Ken Delap II, and James M West. We have recently completed a study for stormwater issues for White Street and have investigated other storm sewer issues.

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