THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 11, 1995 TAG: 9502110072
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DEBBIE MESSINA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
It could be someone's dream home. This stately, brick Colonial has an inviting covered porch and a wide front door painted Williamsburg blue.
The home features state-of-the-art technology and is highly energy-efficient. But you wouldn't want to live here.
The only thing passing through this house each day is up to 28 million gallons of raw sewage from neighboring Kempsville homes.
This architectural wonder on Ferrell Parkway is actually a pump station owned by the Hampton Roads Sanitation District.
It is so aesthetically pleasing that while it was under construction, an enterprising real estate agent stopped to make a pitch to market the ``house.''
Typically, HRSD's pump stations are nondescript, rectangular brick buildings with flat roofs and no windows. The dozen other stations scattered around Hampton Roads are in commercial corridors so they easily blend in.
But this was the first pump station built in a suburban neighborhood. It is adjacent to the upscale Bellamy Woods subdivision, where home sales range from $190,000 to $275,000.
``We normally build utilitarian buildings and do not put much thought into the architecture,'' said James R. Borberg, HRSD general manager. ``In this case, the land around it was developed residential. So why not make it look like a house?
``With a minimum amount of thought and foresight, we were able to make it much more palatable to the neighbors.''
Borberg said the cost to use this design was no higher, as pitched roofs are cheaper than flat, and faux windows are less expensive than bricking them in. The $1.5 million price tag includes the equipment inside.
Construction was completed in December.
While the station was being built, a neighbor, Carolyn Lincoln, was concerned about the ``home'' on busy Ferrell Parkway just east of Indian Lakes Elementary School and how that would affect the safety of children who might live there or visit there.
``I was surprised to learn what it was,'' said Lincoln, who is on the board of directors of the Council of Civic Organizations. ``It really looks like a house. It's a very tasteful building and does not detract from the neighborhood.''
The pump station blends in so well that Bellamy Woods Civic League president Jo Krantz wasn't aware of it.
Because the station uses in-line pumps, wastewater is never exposed to the open air, so there is no odor.
The pressure-reducing station was necessary because development in the area exceeded the capacity of the sewerage lines, which were installed 20 years ago.
Borberg explained that it is cheaper to underestimate growth and later add a pump station than to install huge pipes in the beginning that may never be used to capacity.
``We save some of the up-front costs for many, many years,'' Borberg said.
Pressure-reducing stations are necessary in heavily populated areas to assure that wastewater flows swiftly and safely to treatment plants.
Moving wastewater in Southeastern Virginia is affected by the flat terrain and long distances the wastewater must travel to reach HRSD's treatment plant.
Borberg said he has heard nothing but positive comments about the station. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by CHARLIE MEADS, Staff
This building at 4765 Ferrell Parkway in Virginia Beach is a pump
station operated by the Hampton Roads Sanitation District. The $1.5
million facility is filled with pipes and pumps.
by CNB