EMATS Inc. has begun work on a $2.5-million contract to install high-density wastewater pipe for the City of Winston-Salem, N.C. The project is the first for EMATS in the Winston-Salem area and is a cost-effective alternative to a $30-million sewage treatment plant. The Cedar Bluff, Va.-based energy management company will install 66,000 feet of high-density polyethylene pipe near the Interstate 40 corridor, approximately one mile from Haynes Mall. EMATS will use pipe that is eight inches in diameter and features two-inch walls capable of withstanding significantly high wastewater pressure through a six-inch opening. The company will also deploy its horizontal directional drilling expertise to more efficiently lay the pipe.
Black and Veatch, a Charlotte, N.C.-based engineering design firm, designed the pipeline concept as an alternative to the city building a new sewage treatment facility – a savings of approximately $27 million.
“It’s always important that a more cost-effective way of solving a problem can be accomplished,” said Jon Bowerbank, president and CEO of EMATS. “In this case, our expertise in pipeline installation, combined with the engineering resources of Black and Veatch, resulted in a tremendous savings to the City of Winston-Salem. We hope this is just the beginning of more work for us in the Winston-Salem market.”
Minority- and women-owned businesses received a portion of funding for the project. The businesses include Nicky Construction, Davidson, N.C., and Level Cross Surveying, Randleman, N.C.
“It’s exciting to be part of a project that is going to be a tremendous benefit to the growing Winston-Salem area for many years to come,” said Wally Kidner, EMATS’ engineering technician for the project. “We look forward to working with other companies that have been selected to be a part of this development.” |
