Morrilton, AR, February 13 – TOLM Group joined by the City of Batesville and Olsson Engineering came together on a cold and windy Thursday, February 13th, to celebrate the start of a major undertaking of upgrading the city’s water treatment plant. Mayor, Rick Elumbaugh, City Engineer Damon Johnson, TOLM president, Brian Rohlman, and Vice President Greg Smith, all gave a short statement reflecting on the importance of this project and how much it means to the citizens of Batesville that their water supply will be protected for the next 50 years.
“I promise you this will make Batesville a better place, we do not kick the can on down the road, we tackle our problems and infrastructure, ” Mayor Elumbaugh.
With nearly 60 years of delivering water that surpasses regulatory standards, the current water treatment system, initially built in the mid-1960s, is now facing imminent risks of failure and is operating well beyond its anticipated lifespan.
“Our mission at TOLM Group is that we build on our foundation of faith to empower teams to build dreams and that is through the execution of the vision that we enrich lives and build legacies,” shared Brian Rohlman, President of TOLM Group. “We do not take that for granted, it’s a privilege to be the steward for these water & wastewater construction projects in communities like here in Batesville, because they mean so much to the communities.”
Over the years, the City of Batesville has implemented a series of repairs and enhancements to sustain the functionality of the aging water treatment system, which was originally designed to produce 12.1 million gallons per day (mgd). Today, the system operates at a capacity of approximately 10.5 mgd, well below its initial rating, even as daily water consumption fluctuates between 6.5 mgd and 9.9 mgd during peak seasons, representing nearly 94% of its operational capability.
Recognizing the imperative of planning for infrastructure upgrades at 80% capacity to ensure water supply safety, the Arkansas Department of Health has mandated the initiation of a comprehensive overhaul of the water treatment system. Since 2015, Batesville has been dedicated to addressing this concern to safeguard the well-being of its residents.
City Engineer Damon Johnson stated, “The current water treatment plant has admirably served Batesville for six decades, consistently delivering clean water. However, the plant has exceeded its expected lifespan, and many crucial components are reaching the end of their operational capabilities. Constructing a new plant, as proposed, emerges as the most prudent and cost-effective solution.”
With TOLM Group at the helm of this ambitious project, the City of Batesville looks forward to leveraging its expertise to usher in a new era of water treatment excellence. The proposed upgrade aligns with the city’s commitment to the well-being of its residents and the sustainability of its water resources.
