Big Hill Acres Subdivision is a 2,400 acre community, located near Vancleave, in Jackson County, Mississippi, where each residence was served by a private, shallow potable water well and by an underground septic tank system. Environmental concerns were born from the potential for water contamination from failing septic systems, as well as from intrusion of flood waters as well heads became submerged during heavy rainfall events.
GEC developed a facilities plan and construction documents validating the 855 lots community’s need for a centralized water distribution and wastewater collection system.
The documents developed by GEC support planning requirements of a revised US Army Corps of Engineers Letter Report of Construction Funds, and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Loan Application for match funding. The project, authorized through WRDA 96 is also funded, in parts, by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR).
Key features for the low-pressure wastewater collection system portion of this project include approximately 159,200 LF of PVC sewer force mains ranging in size from 2-inch to 12-inch in diameter, five new lift stations ranging in capacity from 200 to 400 GPM, and 678 grinder pumps.
Key features for the water supply and distribution system portion of this project consist of 99,600 LF of 6-inch through 12-inch diameter water mains. A 1,000 GPM water well and a 250,000 gallon elevated tank is also being constructed in order to provide potable water and fire protection services to homes located in the project area. Connections to approximately 700 existing homes were also included in the design of the water and sewer systems.
Key Services performed by GEC:
- Preliminary site investigations
- Engineer’s opinion of probable construction costs
- Facilities plan
- Preliminary engineering reports
- Preliminary and final design
- Preparation of construction drawings
- Bid specifications and contract documents
- Final cost estimates based on final design for the entire system
- Construction management
- Resident project inspection
The firm is also tasked with coordinating subsurface explorations (such as borings, soil tests, etc.) as well as boundary and topographic surveys for the water well and lift station sites, easements and rights-of-way.
The construction portion of this project, was funded by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, for the Jackson County Utility Authority.
Total Project Value $15.3 Million GEC Contract Value $1.1 Million
