An innovative water treatment program in Virginia called SWIFT (Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow) is a critical first step designed to ensure a sustainable source of groundwater while addressing environmental challenges. The Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) is managing the project, which will take highly treated water and put it through additional rounds of advanced water treatment to meet drinking water quality standards. The SWIFT Water will then be added to the Potomac Aquifer, which will slow or even reverse the shrinking of land due to withdrawal, help restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay and give the region a sustainable source of groundwater.
A central part of the system are specialty access doors that stand before pumps and vaults that serve as the engine behind the complex system. The doors are an integral part toward protecting water and other matter from infiltrating the system, which could throw the entire project into disarray.
Marcor Associates, the BILCO sales representative in Virginia, worked with the Sanitation District to ensure that the proper access products were utilized for this project. BILCO Type JD-AL floor access doors were selected for the two underground pump stations to protect the vaults and provide reliable access to the underground pumps. The doors feature a channel frame design to prevent water and other liquids from entering the access openings and engineered lift assistance for easy, one-hand operation. The corrosion resistant aluminum doors were also supplied with Type 316 stainless steel hardware to stand up to this harsh water processing environment. BILCO LadderUP® ladder safety posts were also used throughout the system to ensure worker safety.
