RIO RANCHO, NM, July 7, 2010 -- The City of Rio Rancho, N.M. recently renewed its contract with CH2M HILL for operations and maintenance of its water and wastewater utilities for up to as many as eight years.
The contract, awarded in a competitive bid process, is worth $5.3 million in the first year and includes additional services.
"CH2M HILL has been Rio Rancho's partner for the management and operation of water and wastewater systems in the community for a number of years," says City Manager James Jimenez. "The city is looking forward to the continuation of this positive relationship to ensure residents receive the highest level of service possible."
The partnership between Rio Rancho and CH2M HILL began in 2002 and includes management of 20 deep wells, three water-pumping stations and 13 water reservoirs. The wastewater system comprises six treatment facilities, 23 lift stations and approximately 300 miles of gravity sewer mains.
The renewal extends that relationship for another four years with the option of four additional years. Additional services provided under the new contract include closed-circuit television inspection of the collection system, a more aggressive cleaning of the water distribution network, developing and operating a centralized database for improved inventory tracking, and implementation and management of a comprehensive asset management program.
"We look forward to our continued partnership with Rio Rancho," says Elisa M. Speranza, president of CH2M HILL's Operations & Maintenance Business Group. "This selection is a validation of how much the city values our partnership and a tribute to the hard work our employees there provide to the citizens every day."
Located on the outskirts of Albuquerque, Rio Rancho is New Mexico's third largest city, home to almost 80,000 residents.
The partnership between the city and CH2M HILL has been recognized on numerous occasions including the 2009 Quality New Mexico Piñon Recognition Award recognizing commitment to program excellence and improving quality; the 2009 Rocky Mountain Section of the American Water Works Association Water Treatment Plant Maintenance Award; and 2009 and 2008 Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association Industrial Pretreatment Award and Collection System Award. In 2007, Rio Rancho became the company's first water and wastewater facility to earn the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Star Voluntary Protection Program approval for its exemplary practices.
Headquartered in Denver, Colo., employee-owned CH2M HILL is a global leader in consulting, design, design-build, operations and program management for government, civil, industrial and energy clients. With $6.3 billion in revenue and 23,500 employees, CH2M HILL is an industry-leading program management, construction management and design firm, as ranked by Engineering News-Record (2010). The firm's work is concentrated in the areas of water, transportation, environmental, energy and power, and facilities and infrastructure. The firm has long been recognized as a most-admired company and leading employer. Visit www.ch2mhill.com.
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