Replacement Planning Section

The Replacement Planning Section is responsible for a wide range of programs including transmission and distribution water main replacement preliminary design and packages, preliminary sanitary force main designs, preliminary PCCP transmission main designs as well as large meter, valve replacement identification and water main redundancy projects. 

Replacement Planning acts as the communications headquarters for these programs and projects in their early stages, that will be utilized by all necessary stakeholders within WSSC Water.  The work that our section performs focuses on the Commission’s priorities of Service Delivery and Operational Reliability & Resilience.

Responsibilities of the Replacement Planning Section include:

Water Main Replacement

With the help of WSSC Water partner, Optimatics, we have developed an algorithmic tool called Optimizer to aid in the identification and compilation of project packages. The development of this tool, application of engineering fundamentals and judgement, knowledge of the WSSC water system and the utilization of ArcGIS Pro has allowed our section to create more efficient project packages.  As a result of our evaluations, recommended water main packages are generated. We coordinate and deliver these packages to the Water Infrastructure Section.

Next step for the water main replacement program package: Water Infrastructure Section

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Sanitary Force Main Replacement

Our section manages and works with WSSC Water Consultants to develop a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) and Preliminary Drawings of the sanitary force main replacement.  This process includes aspects such as coordination with the respective wastewater pump station rehabilitation efforts performed by the Facility Design Division, identifying anticipated sanitary flows, identifying the best alternative alignment, cost, construction methods, construction time, identification of required permits and easements, identification of environmental constraints, performing all required field investigations and coordination with state and local agencies.  Ultimately the PER and Preliminary Drawings are generated, evaluated by internal stakeholders and delivered to the Sewer Infrastructure Section for final design.

Next step for the sanitary sewer force main replacement package: Sewer Infrastructure Section

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PCCP Main Replacement

Our section manages and works with WSSC Water Consultants to develop a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) and Preliminary Drawings of the PCCP transmission main replacement.  This process includes aspects such as evaluating the best alternative alignment, cost, construction methods, construction time, identification of required permits and easements, identification of environmental constraints, performing all required field investigations and coordination with state and local agencies. Ultimately the PER and Preliminary Drawings are generated, evaluated by internal stakeholders and delivered to the Water Infrastructure Section for final design.

Next step for the PCCP main replacement package: Water Infrastructure Section 

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Large Meter Vault Replacement

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Initiate the replacement of all large Hershey meter vaults throughout Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties.  By utilizing internally maintained meter databases as well as communicating with Meter Services Division, Water/Wastewater Systems Assessment Divisions, Pipeline Construction Division, and the Water Infrastructure Section, we are able to create packages of large meter vaults to be replaced.  Additional relevant data is gathered and confirmed from various sources including plumbing cards, RUMBA, and EGIS to create project packages.  These packages are evaluated by our internal stakeholders and ultimately delivered to the Water Infrastructure Section for final design.

Next step for the large meter vault replacement package: Water Infrastructure Section

Large Valve Replacement

Our group initiates the replacement of troubled valves, 16-inches and larger, throughout the service area.  Utilizing a list of troubled large valves that is populated with information from Pipeline Infrastructure Strategic Planning, Production and Utility Services Divisions, we are able to determine which valves are to be replaced.  Additionally relevant data is gathered and confirmed from various sources including plumbing cards, record drawings and EGIS to create packages. These packages are evaluated by our internal stakeholders and ultimately delivered to the Water Infrastructure Section for final design.

Next step for the large valve replacement package: Water Infrastructure Section

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Water Main Redundancy

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Our section coordinates with the Planning Division to identify and address single source water mains feeding areas and neighborhoods throughout Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties.  Conceptual designs of the additional water main are generated through an evaluation of aspects such as alignment, cost, construction methods, construction time, identification of required permits and easements, environmental constraints and coordination with state and local agencies.  These packages are evaluated by our internal stakeholders and ultimately delivered to the Water Infrastructure Section for final design.

Next step for the water main redudancy package: Water Infrastructure Section

Agency Project Coordination

Agency Project Coordination (APC) is facilitated through quarterly meetings, which are held to coordinate projects with other local and state agencies, townships and utilities within Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties.  WSSC Water developed a web-based GIS interactive mapping tool for the purpose of providing visibility of proposed projects within the public rights of way within Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, that may impact planned projects from one or more public agency or utility.​  Some of the agencies that WSSC Water coordinates with through these meetings are: Prince Georges County DOT, Montgomery County DOT, Washington Gas, PEPCO, State Highway Administration, Chevy Chase, City of College Park, City of Gaithersburg, and Takoma Park.  For more information and for access to the tool, contact Corey Hutchings.