MONROE

The Union County Board of Commissioners on Monday unanimously supported moving forward with final design and construction of a one billion gallon reservoir at the Catawba River Water Treatment Plant. The reservoir project was approved in 2007 as part of Public Works’ Capital Improvement Plan.

The reservoir will cover 90 surface acres and will allow the plant to withdraw water from the reservoir during times of drought when the Catawba River typically has low water flow. This will ensure a more reliable, better quality and sufficient supply of water to the plant.

The preliminary design of the reservoir is complete and environmental permitting is moving ahead. The reservoir design includes a new dam, reservoir pumping station with access bridge, overflow spillway and conveyance piping. The existing reservoir will receive hydraulic improvements and will be utilized for pretreatment of river water before it is transferred to the new reservoir.

Final design of the reservoir is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2010 and construction should conclude in the fall of 2012.