Two Harbors, MN – Municipal Water Treatment Facility

Project(s): Municipal Water Treatment Facility

Owner: City of Two Harbors, MN

Value: $7.3 million |  15-month schedule

Scope of Work: The City of Two Harbors Water Treatment Facility has been on the shore of Lake Superior for more than 70 years. The plant’s 64-year-old chlorine contact tank was leaking and needed to be replaced, and the city’s three pressure reducing valve stations needed replacement and/or upgrades. Work began on the project July 2023 and is currently on-time and under budget, with a projected completion date of November 2024.

As the General Contractor, Lakehead self-performed the concrete, rebar, above-ground piping, carpentry, painting, crane support and heavy rigging. One significant challenge was keeping the treatment plant’s existing chlorine contact basin online during construction. To maintain service, work on the four basin tanks was divided into two sections – north and south – ensuring two basins would be online throughout the project. An additional concern: the basin tanks were cracked and deteriorating, so an emergency tank plan was established in case the tanks gave way during blasting and excavation.

Plant modernization also involved: removing and replacing the fluoride tank and pump, along with turbidity meters and chlorine gas sensors. Facility upgrades included new HVAC, flooring, siding, interior doors and replacing the roof.

In addition to work at the main water facility, Lakehead also constructed two new 17′ by 13′ pressure reducing valve (PRV) stations and renovated a third station as part of the project.