KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 23, 2016 – Garney Construction has concluded an agreement with Spanish firm Abengoa to assume the lead role in the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) Vista Ridge pipeline project. Garney will acquire an 80 percent equity stake and take over control of the project.
The Vista Ridge team, led by Garney, will design and build a system to deliver 50,000 acre-feet of water to the rapidly growing San Antonio, Texas, community. The total projected cost to develop the project is $844 million. Garney will play the lead role in overseeing the design, construction, and financing of the project.
“The employee-owners of Garney Construction are excited to lend our water system expertise to this significant project for the city of San Antonio,” said Mike Heitmann, President and CEO of Garney Construction.
The 142-mile Vista Ridge pipeline remains a critical project for San Antonio, one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. Vista Ridge will expand San Antonio's water supply by 20 percent, decreasing pressure on the sensitive Edwards Aquifer, which is subject to Federal, state and regional pumping regulations. SAWS is a national leader in water conservation, and the Vista Ridge pipeline will complement SAWS’ continued conservation efforts and development of other water resources as San Antonio adds an additional one million residents by 2040. SAWS currently provides water and wastewater services to more than 1.6 million consumers in the region.
Garney has more than three decades of experience working with SAWS, successfully delivering critical projects for its consumers, including the Water Resources Integration Program Pipelines and Twin Oaks Pump Station, SAWS Carrizo Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Project, and SAWS Water Recycling Program. Last year, as part of the Water Resources Integration Program, Garney installed 140,000 lineal feet of 60-inch pipe, similar to the pipe that will be used for the Vista Ridge pipeline.
Robert R. Puente, President and CEO of SAWS noted that the new leadership is a positive step in the progression of the Vista Ridge project. “Garney Construction has a strong history with SAWS and has been involved in this project since the beginning. In stepping up to the lead position, Garney brings unparalleled continuity and skill to the table.”
About Garney
Garney is a 100 percent employee owned company specializing in the construction of water and wastewater pipelines, treatment facilities, pumping stations, water storage tanks, and industrial/heavy civil projects. Garney was established in Kansas City in 1961 and has regional offices in Tempe, Arizona; Livermore, California; Littleton, Colorado; Winter Garden, Florida; Hollywood, Florida; Alpharetta, Georgia; Nashville, Tennessee; Houston, Texas; Chantilly, Virginia; and Gig Harbor, Washington. Garney currently has 1,100 employee-owners.
