Location: Waukesha
Owner: Waukesha Water Utility
Concrete Supplier: Riv/Crete Ready Mix
Architect/Engineer: Greelye and Hansen
Contractor: C.D. Smith Construction Inc.
Construction Manager: Black & Veatch

The nearly completed Waukesha Water Utility Booster facility illustrates the importance of using concrete. The project includes two 8.6-million-gallon reservoirs and a new 1-million-gallon composite elevated water tower approximately 160 feet tall.

Due to an aggressive schedule, the contractor utilized 2 pumps to place 800 cubic yards of a 4,000-psi mix that included a high range water reducer for the slabs.

A 5,000-psi mix included high and mid-range water reducers to pump over 300 cast in place panels that encompassed the domed reservoirs. The panel pours were difficult due to the fact that a .35 water/cement ratio could not be exceeded.

Once panels were constructed, a 7-bag shotcrete pea gravel mix with a high range water reducer was used. This mix presented a challenge because a 2-inch hose was used to pump the mix. Additional additives were used to increase the slump to 9 inches to encapsulate the panels.

9,500 cubic yards were poured to complete the facility. The project will ensure the residents of Waukesha County will receive an abundance of clean usable water.