SAWS Boerne Stage Road 24-inch Water Main Replacement
Replacement of the city's water main
Project Purpose
A 24-inch water main on Boerne Stage Road experienced repeated main breaks along a specific segment of the pipeline. San Antonio Water System (SAWS) tasked KFA with analyzing this 24-inch water main from the pump station to the elevated storage tank to determine the maximum operating and surge pressures and to recommend water main replacement criteria and solve this ongoing issue.
This project included performing hydraulic modeling, transient/surge analysis, fatigue analysis, and air handling analysis for an existing portion (approximately 48,000 LF) of the distribution system between the Winwood Pump Station and the Cross Mountain Elevated Storage Tank. Final engineering design services also included 2,500 LF of 24-inch water transmission main replacement along Boerne Stage Road, to replace the area that had experienced the majority of water main breaks.
Project Approach
KFA worked with numerous SAWS departments to gather data for the analysis. The team also coordinated with the SUE provider to perform Level A and Level B utility locates and numerous utilities, including CPS gas and electric, Grey Forest gas, and telecommunication companies. KFA assisted SAWS in obtaining Bexar County ROW permit and COSA tree permit and partnering with Office of Historical Preservation (OHP) and Texas Historical Commission (THC) for archaeological and cultural resources investigations.
The project was a high priority for SAWS so the schedule was extremely accelerated beginning at scoping. We provided a proposal in less than 3 business days, including 7 subconsultants. A large part of the PER (30%) phase was analyzing the system. KFA and the Team met with SAWS frequently (multiple times per week, often times with different groups) to discuss the data being used for the analysis, transient scenarios being run, and design considerations. We proposed alignments based on survey, SUE data and existing utility information, and County requirements.
Managing projects is easier with talent and teamwork. At KFA, our employees have both.
Chris Boentges, PE, Project Manager
K Friese + Associates (KFA)
Project Results
Design was completed in 2018 ahead of the already expedited schedule. Construction was completed in 2019 with no change orders.