Increasing levels of ground contamination from naturally occurring salt deposits and industrial pollution in the 30-ft-deep wells the residents of Maize, Kansas, have been using for their water supply was placing these wells in jeopardy. The town of 2,000 urgently needed a complete new water system. Located just northwest of Wichita, Maize has the fastest growing school district in Kansas. The district was importing three times the city’s population in each day. Development pressure from Wichita was also placing a demand for a safe and adequate water supply.
The City of Maize selected the joint-venture of GBA and CAS Construction, Inc. for this project. The GBA/CAS team selected design-build as the project delivery method. They streamlined the process of technical specifications and pricing and used a novel approach to minimizing surface damage through installation of water mains using HDPE pipe and horizontal directional drilling. The project consisted of the design and construction of a 500,000-gallon water storage tank, two water wells and a well field pump station, chlorination equipment and 90,000 ft of 6-inch to 12-inch diameter water mains with valves and fire hydrants. The complete water system was designed and built within 12 months.
