Milledgeville, GA Structural Failure in the Primary Municipal Water Treatment Stabilization Pond
Client’s Vision & Needs
The City of Wrightsville public works department noted a structural failure in the primary municipal water treatment stabilization pond. The system’s original 36-inch corrugated metal overflow pipe had completely suffered from internal corrosion, causing water to bypass the control system and erode the main earthen dam breastwork. Left unaddressed, it threatened a total breach that would impact local state highways and down-gradient waterways. The state and municipal requirements included:
Corroded Municipal Spillway Pipe
Internal rust caused localized sinkholes on the city-maintained earthen dam wall, threatening a major structural failure.
Absence of Water Level Control
The original configuration lacked a functioning gate valve, leaving the city utility team with no way to manually control drawdown levels for required state inspections.
Severe Downstream Erosion
Stormwater overflows were bypassing the system and carving out a deep, un-stabilized ravine on public land, violating state environmental runoff guidelines.
Our Plan to Deliver Quality Results on Schedule
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Dewatering & Dam TrenchingDays 1–2
Installed high-capacity municipal trash pumps to safely lower the pond below the hazard zone. Used a 20-ton excavator to cut a deep trench straight through the city-maintained dam to expose and completely remove the failed metal pipe.
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Installing the Principal Spillway & Gate ValveDays 3–4
Positioned heavy-duty, thick-walled smooth plastic overflow piping fitted with anti-seep collars to eliminate internal water tracking. Attached a commercial-grade, heavy iron gate valve mechanism to allow city crews complete, manual water-level control.
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Dam Core Rebuilding & CompactionDays 5–6
Backfilled the trench using high-quality local red clay subsoil. Packed the earth down tightly in 6-inch lifts using a vibratory padfoot roller to satisfy structural density and water-tight specifications.
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Concrete Headwall & Armored SpillwayDays 7–8
Poured a structural concrete headwall at the intake to prevent debris clogs. Armored the discharge channel with 15 tons of heavy rip-rap stone to dissipate water velocity and stop ongoing soil erosion.
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Dewatering & Dam TrenchingDays 1–2
Installed high-capacity municipal trash pumps to safely lower the pond below the hazard zone. Used a 20-ton excavator to cut a deep trench straight through the city-maintained dam to expose and completely remove the failed metal pipe.
-
Installing the Principal Spillway & Gate ValveDays 3–4
Positioned heavy-duty, thick-walled smooth plastic overflow piping fitted with anti-seep collars to eliminate internal water tracking. Attached a commercial-grade, heavy iron gate valve mechanism to allow city crews complete, manual water-level control.
-
Dam Core Rebuilding & CompactionDays 5–6
Backfilled the trench using high-quality local red clay subsoil. Packed the earth down tightly in 6-inch lifts using a vibratory padfoot roller to satisfy structural density and water-tight specifications.
-
Concrete Headwall & Armored SpillwayDays 7–8
Poured a structural concrete headwall at the intake to prevent debris clogs. Armored the discharge channel with 15 tons of heavy rip-rap stone to dissipate water velocity and stop ongoing soil erosion.
The Results Are In
Emergency Dewatering & Excavation | Pumping water down, breaching dam, and pulling old pipe. | $4,800 |
Heavy-Duty Overflow Pipe & Gate Valve | Thick-walled smooth plastic pipe, anti-seep collars, and cast-iron valve. | $7,200 |
Clay Core Backfill & Compaction | Sourcing local clay, heavy roller compaction in 6-inch lifts to municipal spec. | $4,500 |
Concrete Headwall & Rip-Rap Rock | Poured intake structure and 15 tons of DOT-spec erosion-control rock. | $3,400 |
Total Project Cost | 8 Days to Complete (Turnkey Service). | $19,900 |
Emergency Dewatering & Excavation
Pumping water down, breaching dam, and pulling old pipe.
Heavy-Duty Overflow Pipe & Gate Valve
Thick-walled smooth plastic pipe, anti-seep collars, and cast-iron valve.
Clay Core Backfill & Compaction
Sourcing local clay, heavy roller compaction in 6-inch lifts to municipal spec.
Concrete Headwall & Rip-Rap Rock
Poured intake structure and 15 tons of DOT-spec erosion-control rock.
Total Project Cost
8 Days to Complete (Turnkey Service).
These numbers reflect the actual cost for this specific project. Because every piece of land is unique, give our team a call for a rough phone estimate or to schedule a free on-site inspection for your own property.
Top-Tier Work on Public Infrastructure!
“We contracted B&H to handle an urgent overflow and pipe failure at our city stabilization site. They coordinated perfectly with our engineers, replaced the rusted pipe with heavy-duty material, and installed a great gate valve that gives our crews total control over the water levels. They worked fast, stayed on budget, and left the site completely stable. Excellent asset for local governments.”
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