The Creek Bypass Challenge: The EPA’s Superfund cleanup of PCB contamination around the Kalamazoo River (Michigan) extended to Portage Creek, where a portion of the PCB-laden creek bottom needed to be removed. To excavate, the entire stream’s flow had to be bypassed. The 1500’ bypass included two busy roads with low clearance bridges.
The Baker Bypass Solution: Baker-engineered suction assemblies leading to four 12” sound-attenuated pumps and one 12” back-up pump. All the pumps were manifolded to two 18” diameter, 1500’ long runs of HDPE pipe to carry the creek between two temporary gravel dams.
Baker displaced an existing (competitor’s) system with more fuel-efficient pumps — and more accurate fuel consumption forecasts — as well as strict compliance to the project’s contract. Through recommendations intended to reduce unnecessary double-handling of equipment in future years, Baker provided a prescriptive plan to save the customer money in coming years.