The City of Battle Lake’s water supply and distribution system provides service to its 857 residents, which grows significantly during the summer as it is home to many summertime residents who enjoy the thriving lakes country community. To provide for additional redundancy for their water system, Apex helped develop a funding application through the Minnesota Drinking Water Revolving Fund to provide for a new well and wellhouse as the existing backup Wells No. 1 and No. 3 needed replacement. Through the Drinking Water Revolving Fund program, the City obtained a low-interest loan and approximately $425,000 in principal forgiveness, which helped the project’s affordability for the community.

Location

To begin the design process, Apex sited the new well and wellhouse adjacent to the existing City Well No. 1 as the geological formations in that area were suitable for new groundwater capacity, and the site was conveniently located for City staff. In addition, to make access easier for City staff, the site design incorporated a significant grade raise around the new wellhouse, such that it would be resistant to flooding and convenient for City maintenance.

Design

For the design of their new well pump within their new pumphouse, the City elected to use a vertical turbine pump, and it was designed to produce 525 GPM at 239 feet of total dynamic head with a minimum efficiency of 75%. The well is metered, and the groundwater supply is treated with fluoride and hypochlorite. Both chemical feeds are controlled based on flow rates monitored at the wellhouse. Both chemical feed systems have their own chemical feed rooms and chemical containment within the pumphouse to extend the longevity of equipment and promote safety in the pumphouse. After completion of the project, existing Well No. 1 and No. 3 were sealed to prevent future contamination of the aquifer.

SCADA

During design, Apex made significant efforts to streamline staff operations by providing a primary SCADA control panel in Well No. 5 that produces custom reports to assist with regulatory compliance. Communications between Well No. 5 and remote sites were developed by installing a new panel and radio at the existing water tower and replacing the radio at the existing Well No. 4. Critical for system operation, a standby emergency power was also provided at Wellhouse No. 5 with an 80 KW engine generator.