The final 2022 commissioning of the Doe Run Road Water Treatment Plant enables the city of Newark, Delaware (USA), to increase the quantity and quality of the city's drinking water to better meet growing demand – and EPA guidelines. PENETRON ADMIX SB, a crystalline concrete waterproofing admixture, was chosen as a permanent - and non-toxic – concrete waterproofing solution.
A small city of around 32,000 inhabitants, Newark is located in northern Delaware and is home to the University of Delaware. The city’s Public Works and Water Resources Department is responsible for the treatment and distribution of water to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional users in the region, processing an average of 3.4 million gallons of water per day.
The Department accessed funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the state’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to construct a 250,000-gallon storage tank at the Doe Run Road Water Treatment Plant, install a contaminant removal system, and complete plant building upgrades that will allow for additional treatment to cover future needs.
“The recently completed $1.2 million expansion and upgrade project ensures the City of Newark can maintain water quality standards to comply with the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act regulations and increase output at the Doe Run Road plant to meet growing demand,” adds Christopher Chen, Director of The Penetron Group.
Brandywine Valley Concrete, the project’s general contractor, asked Heritage Concrete, the ready-mix concrete supplier, for a durable waterproofing solution for the new concrete components of the project. After evaluating product efficacy, reviewing the cost benefits, and the on-site technical support available from Penetron, PENETRON ADMIX SB was specified to treat all concrete components exposed to water and chemicals. As a crystalline waterproofing admixture in pre-measured soluble bags, PENETRON ADMIX SB is easily added to concrete during batching.
When exposed to moisture, the active ingredients in PENETRON ADMIX SB react to form insoluble crystals, which fill in cracks, pores, and voids in the concrete – becoming an integral part of the concrete matrix. The formation of the crystals throughout the concrete matrix prevents water to pass through the concrete of the Doe Run Road plant’s new water storage tank – even under conditions of constantly high hydrostatic pressure – that would otherwise cause corrosion and resulting deterioration.
“Waterproofing concrete with PENETRON ADMIX SB enhances the durability and service life of concrete,” concludes Christopher Chen. “It will also minimize any future waterproofing related maintenance costs for Newark’s Public Works and Water Resources Department.”
The Penetron Group is a leading manufacturer of specialty construction products for concrete waterproofing, concrete repairs and floor preparation systems. The Group operates through a global network, offering support to the design and construction community through its regional offices, representatives, and distribution channels.
