DENVER, CO, Aug. 20, 2014 -- The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) has announced the recipients of its 2014 Project/Team Awards, of which two design-build projects from CH2M HILL -- including the Agua Nueva Water Reclamation Facility in Tucson, Ariz., and the City of Wilsonville's Wastewater Treatment Plant in Wilsonville, Ore. -- received National Merit Awards in the Water/Wastewater category. The awards celebrate exemplary application of Design-Build Done Right project delivery for projects that achieved best value, while also meeting design and construction quality, cost and schedule goals.
The Agua Nueva facility, part of Pima County's largest capital improvements program, is one of the most advanced water reclamation facilities in the world. The $172-million, 32-million-gallons-per-day (MGD) facility produces high-quality effluent that exceeds expectations, keeping the Santa Cruz River clean and protecting Pima County's reclaimed water system. CH2M HILL, as the single-entity DBO firm, was responsible for project delivery and construction and will operate and maintain the plant for 15+5 years.
Pima County has earned significant industry recognition for its Agua Nueva facility, including being named the Grand Prize in Design by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers & Scientists, and recently received two statewide 2014 Project of the Year Awards from the Arizona Chapter of the American Public Works Association.
Likewise, the city of Wilsonville, Ore., embarked on the improvement project at its wastewater treatment plant to address population growth and the facility's aging infrastructure, as well as meet more stringent discharge regulations and improve sustainability by producing a Class A biosolids for beneficial reuse. The operate-design-build-operate (ODBO) project enables Wilsonville to meet the community's current needs and future growth over the next 20 years and will ensure clean water by protecting the environment and improving the quality of effluent discharged to the Willamette River.
Working hand-in-hand with Wilsonville, CH2M HILL was responsible for the $44-million capital improvements, including permitting, designing, constructing, commissioning, and long-term operations, operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of the existing and upgraded treatment plant. The firm took over plant operations 60 days after signing the ODBO contract and operated the plant throughout design and construction to ensure single-point responsibility for all aspects of the difficult project and guarantee the plant operated under regulatory compliance. CH2M HILL will continue operating the plant for the next 20 years.
The updated and expanded plant -- which was completed in April and includes modern wastewater treatment technology, a new odor system and increased capacity -- was the first ODBO project delivered in the state of Oregon. The project also involved extensive reuse and incorporation of existing facilities, as well as construction in tight spaces.
The DBIA will present the merit awards, as well as three Awards of Excellence in the areas of design, process and learning at the 2014 Design-Build Conference & Expo on Tuesday, October 7, in Dallas, Texas. All National Merit Award winners qualify for consideration of an Award of Excellence.
See also:
"OR celebrates grand opening of $42M wastewater treatment plant"
"CH2M HILL corrosion, odor control research project earns prestigious innovation award"
About CH2M HILL
Headquartered near Denver, Colorado, USA, employee-owned CH2M HILL is a global leader in consulting, design, design-build, operations, and program management for government, civil, industrial and energy clients. The firm’s work is concentrated in the areas of water, transportation, environment, energy, and facilities. For more information, visit www.ch2mhill.com.
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