Skip to site content
Collection & Distribution

30-Inch Waterline Anchored to the Bottom of the Tennessee River

Problem

CTI completed a project for Tennessee American Water (TAW) providing design, permits, easements, and construction phase services for 1,800 linear feet of 30-inch waterline to bring water from a connection at TAW’s Water Treatment Plant on the south side of the Tennessee River to a connection on the north side of the river. CTI and TAW had to consider the most cost-effective way to cross 1,400 linear feet of the Tennessee River. This included what materials should be used to anchor the pipe in place with a fast-moving current, the optimal location for the new pipe without disturbing multiple existing sewer and water pipes, and not disrupting major navigational traffic on the river.

 

Solution

The trench for the 1,400 linear feet of waterline in the river was pre-drilled using a barge and drilling template to accurately place explosive charges to blast the riverbed rock prior to clamshell excavation. Excavated materials were side cast, except in the 550 LF of navigation channel, where the materials had to be loaded onto a barge, hauled away during construction, and then later returned for backfill after pipeline installation, to comply with COE regulations.

 

Project Elements

  • 1,800 LF of 30-inch DIP Waterline
  • Permits from US Army Corps of Engineers, Tennessee Valley, Authority, TN Department of Environment and Conservation, the City of Chattanooga, and Hamilton County
  • Open cut trench and directional drilling

 

CTI Services

  • Preliminary Engineering
  • Permitting and Easement Assistance
  • Design and Specifications
  • Construction Administration
  • Resident Project Administration
See All Projects
Client

Tennessee American Water

Project Cost

$3.2M

Funding

Local

CTI Personnel on project

Ken Price, PE

Jerry Hightower, PE

Other Collection & Distribution Projects

Practical Innovation By Design

CTI Engineers has been providing practical, but innovative, solutions to engineering challenges using nature’s inspiration to enhance and protect the natural world since 1991. 

About Us