• Largest design-build-operate water treatment plant in North America is honored
VOORHEES, NJ, Jan. 19, 2009 -- American Water Works Company Inc., the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company, announced that the Lake Pleasant Water Treatment Plant, operated by American Water and owned by the city of Phoenix, earned the 2009 Excellence in Public/Private Partnership Outstanding Achievement Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
Phoenix's Lake Pleasant Water Treatment Plant was built to address one of the nation's fastest-growing metropolitan area's water needs. The city of Phoenix selected the design-build-operate (DBO) team of American Water Enterprises Inc., a subsidiary of American Water, and the Black & Veatch-McCarthy Building Companies joint-venture design-build team.
"American Water is truly honored to receive such a prestigious award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors," said Donald Correll, president and chief executive officer of American Water. "The city of Phoenix decided in the early 90s that it wanted to proactively address the future water supply needs for its citizens. Working with our partners, in 2007, we opened a state-of-the-art plant that serves approximately 216,000 customers and has a capacity to treat 80 million gallons of water per day."
Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon added, "Thanks to the efforts of the partners and our city of Phoenix staff, the plant also was designed to easily expand to treat 320 million gallons per day, continuing to ensure a viable water plant for Phoenix for years to come."
Incorporating the latest in modern water treatment technology and automation, the facility is the largest design-build-operate project in North America. The facility, designed to blend seamlessly into the desert landscape without disturbing the natural beauty of the area, includes an intake structure, pumping station and a 90-inch diameter pipeline to deliver raw water 2.3 miles from the source to the treatment site.
American Water will operate and maintain the facility for 15 years, with an option for an additional five years.
Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company.
Black & Veatch is a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company specializing in infrastructure development in energy, water, telecommunications, management consulting, federal and environmental markets.
With 145 years' experience, McCarthy Building Companies Inc. is one of the oldest and largest privately owned construction firms in the United States.
The City of Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the nation covering approximately 540 square miles. Its Water Services Department treats and distributes tap water to 1.6 million customers, and handles wastewater operations for 2 million area residents. Its tap water supply is in very good shape due to decades of planning and multiple water sources. Phoenix is delivering the same amount of water in total today as it did 10 years ago despite 28 percent population growth. The city performs over five million tests and measurements each year to meet or surpass water quality regulations.
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