LILBURN, GA, Dec. 4, 2012 -- A fully-integrated construction management team lead by PC Construction recently completed the Yellow River Water Reclamation Facility Improvements project in Lilburn, Ga. Work on the award-winning $240 million project wrapped up a year early and $10 million under budget.
PC Construction utilized the construction management-at-risk delivery method to manage the project efficiently. Highlights of the complex project include: consolidating six water reclamation plants into one, reducing expected annual operating costs by $2.4 million for the Department of Water Resources of Gwinnett County, Ga.
The original Yellow River treatment plant was demolished and rebuilt on the same site as the former facility -- without disrupting operations. Overall capacity is now 22 million gallons a day, which is the combined total of the six prior plants at Yellow River, Big Haynes Creek, Jacks Creek, No Business Creek, Beaver Ruin and Jackson Creek.
Technological innovations include an advanced membrane bio-reactor at Yellow River -- currently the largest operating membrane in the United States -- that helps improve system reliability and reduce environmental impact. The Yellow River Water Reclamation Facility operations center has achieved LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Working closely together, the full construction management team included PC Construction, Jacobs, CH2M Hill, Precision Planning, Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources Engineering and Construction staff, and Yellow River plant staff.
“After experiencing the devastating floods of 2009, when everyone on the team jumped in immediately to get new pumps in service, we knew we had made the right decision not to base our $250 million improvement project on cost alone,” said Adam Minchey, special projects manager for the Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources. “Our priority is the quality of the work, and we wanted partners who could work side-by-side with us and feel a true sense of ownership for the massive project.”
PC Construction, a company offering contracting, construction management and design-build services with extensive experience in the water treatment industry, is 100 percent employee owned.
The Yellow River Water Reclamation Facility Improvements project has been honored by awards from Engineering News-Record (ENR)/Southeast Region, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)/Georgia, and the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA).
“The many accolades for this project are a reflection of the outstanding team effort from all involved,” said Mike Joseph, project manager for PC Construction. “When you’re able to put all of your energy toward building the best plant possible with the trust of the engineer and the owner behind you, it definitely encourages teamwork. That’s how nearly 500 workers on a 128-acre site can collaborate and solve problems together.”
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