The City of Woonsocket, R.I., has selected global full-service engineering, procurement, construction, and operations firm CH2M HILL to operate its existing regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, design and build upgrades to the facility, and then operate the improved wastewater treatment facility.

 

The City gave CH2M HILL the nod to begin the operation of the existing wastewater treatment facility and perform the capital upgrades to the facility, valued at nearly $80 million (capital and O&M). Woonsocket’s upgraded facility is expected to significantly improve the City’s wastewater treatment capabilities, while improving water quality and the environment by reducing the nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) discharged to the Blackstone River.

 

It is anticipated that CH2M HILL will assume operations of the wastewater treatment facility beginning October 1st.  Design is expected to begin shortly after contract signing   with construction scheduled to be completed in 2016. CH2M HILL will operate the plant through construction for a 20-year term. 

 

The Wastewater Treatment Plant, built in the early 1930s with a major upgrade in the 1960s, 1970s and 1990s, has aging equipment and is facing more stringent regulatory requirements. The plan is to rebuild, upgrade and expand the plant; incorporate modern wastewater treatment technology; upgrade the electrical system; install a new SCADA system; and increase the removal of phosphorus and nitrogen to meet the new, more stringent discharge requirements.

 

“CH2M HILL is committed to providing the City with the greatest possible value for its wastewater needs,” says CH2M HILL DBO Program Director Denis Dandeneau. “A single-entity DBO provider delivering all phases of this project assures the City that one company is responsible and accountable for meeting project timelines, wisely managing public resources, and protecting the environment for the next 20 years.”

 

After a competitive procurement process the Public Works Director, Sheila McGauvran, PE believes the City has selected a firm in CH2M HILL that meets and exceeds all of the City requirements.

 

“We are pleased to have CH2M HILL design and build our wastewater treatment facility upgrades and operate and maintain the facility for the next 20 years providing the City with cost effective, permit compliant operation, and its commitment to safety, sustainability and stewardship for the wastewater treatment facility,” says Ms. McGauvran.

 

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, environmental, energy, facilities and resources. With US$6.4 billion in revenue and 30,000 employees, CH2M HILL is an industry-leading program management, construction management and design firm, as ranked by Engineering News-Record and named a leader in sustainable engineering by Verdantix. The firm has been named a FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For five times and was named Water Company of the Year at the 2012 Global Water Awards. Visit us at www.ch2mhill.com, www.ch2mhillblogs.com/water, twitter.com/ch2mhill and facebook.com/ch2mhill.