COMMERCE TOWNSHIP
FIRE STATION NO. 1
2MG WATER STORAGE FACILITY
INFORMATIONAL PACKET
A Public Hearing is scheduled for Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 7pm at the Commerce Township Hall. At
this meeting, the Township Engineer’s (Giffels Webster) will make a presentation, answer any questions
and address any concerns that may come up regarding the proposed water storage facility.
Giffels Webster will take the information gathered at the Public Hearing and present it to the Township
Board so that a decision can be made about how to proceed with the project at the February 12, 2013
Township Board Meeting.
Reason for a Water Storage Facility
Commerce Township currently pays one of the highest rates of any Detroit Water and Sewerage
Department (DWSD) customer. The rates are partially based on the “peak” water usage from the DWSD
system (which usually occurs in the morning and in the evening).
One way that the “peak” water usage rate from DWSD can be controlled is by the installation of a water
storage facility. During “peak” usage periods, water would come from the proposed water storage facility
so that a lower amount of water is drawn from the DWSD connection. Water will be drawn from the
DWSD system during non-peak times to fill the tank.
In addition to allowing the Township to control the peak usage from DWSD, the installation of a water
tower will also stabilize pressures within the water distribution system and provide a reserve source of
water in case of emergency.
The water storage facility will allow Commerce Township to negotiate better rates for the water that they
purchase from DWSD by reducing the peaking factor that is used in the rate calculation. It is estimated
that the installation of a water storage facility will save Commerce Township approximately $1,300,000
per year on the wholesale purchase rate of water from the DWSD.
Construction Schedule
Design of the water storage facility would begin immediately upon approval from the Township Board. It
is expected that a decision will be made at the February 12, 2013 Board Meeting. If the design can be
started in February, it is anticipated that actual work would begin on the site by the end of 2013. The
facility would be proposed to be completed by the spring of 2015 so that the DWSD water rates can be
adjusted in 2016.
Project Cost
The total project is estimated to cost $5.8 million and will be paid for by the water system capital
improvement fund. This project will have a payback of less than 5 years, based on information provided
by the DWSD (projected rates with and without a tower for 2012),
Sites Considered
Several properties were considered as potential locations for the water tower. The locations included
several Township owned properties, several sites on the hospital property, and several other privately
owned properties.
What type of Water Storage is being proposed?
Giffels Webster is recommending that a composite style tower be installed at this location. A basic
composite tower has a concrete pedestal (column) and a steel reservoir at the top where the water is
stored. A composite water tower would be approximately 150 feet tall at this location. The concrete
column would have a diameter of approximately 50 feet and the steel reservoir at the top would have an
approximate diameter of 100 feet. A typical composite tower would look similar to this:
Proposed Water Storage Facility Site
The facility is planned to be located behind (to the south of) Commerce Fire Station No. 1. This site was
selected because it is one of the highest Township owned sites within Commerce Township. The water
infrastructure that is already in place along the main roads also makes this a good location for the facility.
What is Next?
We want your feedback. We will put this information on the Commerce Township website prior to the
Public Hearing and we will also assemble a list of questions and answers. We are distributing information
through our contacts at the surrounding HOA’s. You can direct questions through your HOA or you may
also contact me directly:
Jason Mayer, PE
Senior Project Manager
Giffels Webster
1025 East Maple, Suite 100
Birmingham, MI 48009
(248) 202-8803 cell
(248) 852-3100 office
[email protected]