STRATAWEB™ STABILIZES LAGOON AT ALABAMA WATER TREATMENT PLANT

Project Completed With In-House Crews Saving Time And Costs

CUMMING, GA – January 11, 2011 – The Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) has completed a major capital improvement project with a 25% increase in water capacity, better serving more than 600,000 Alabama residents. Part of the project involved upgrading its lagoon at its Carson Filter Plant. The lagoon holds backwash water and sludge and must be cleaned regularly to maintain water capacity for the entire plant. The graded side slopes on the lagoon needed long-term protection to allow easier access for more efficient cleaning.

The BWWB chose Strata’s StrataWeb geocell product to stabilize the sides of the lagoon, protecting it from erosion and providing superior load support. The cells of the StrataWeb were filled with concrete, eliminating the need for expensive concrete forming and steel reinforcement. This resulted in substantial material cost savings on this project. Another reason the BWWB chose StrataWeb was for its ease of installation. The product could be installed with the BWWB’s in-house crews, generating additional savings on installation costs and saving time by avoiding the need to seek bids on installation from outside contractors. Strata engineers determined the appropriate amount of geocell needed, supplied installation details, and provided necessary training for the BWWB crews to ensure a professional result.

The BWWB has been applauded for providing permanent stabilization to the lagoon and improving the efficiency of the water treatment plant while saving money by using in-house crews.

Strata Systems (www.geogrid.com) is a leader in the production and distribution of advanced geogrid soil reinforcement and composite geosynthetic products under the Stratagrid®, Microgrid™, StrataTex™, StrataWeb™ and StrataDrain™ brands. Additionally, the company’s Sleeve-It™ product line affords designers and civil engineers a code-compliant system for integrating fencing into engineered retaining walls. High performance Strata products are designed to meet complex engineering and construction challenges relating to retaining walls, reinforced slopes and embankments. Strata Systems state-of-the-industry manufacturing and R&D capabilities are an extension of its commitment to growth through innovation. Strata Systems is an operating unit of Glen Raven, Inc. (www.glenraven.com) the leader in performance textiles and fabrics, recognized globally for its Sunbrella® brand.