Current Projects
El Pico Water Treatment Plant – Laredo, Texas
Client: City of Laredo
Winter may be setting in, but things are heating up for Western Summit in Texas. On October 25, WSCI received Notice to Proceed on a new 20 MGD, $89 million water treatment plant for the City of Laredo.
The plant will include a raw water intake structure with forebays, sediment and flocculation basins, a series of filters, and finally, an area for chemical treatment that will be the final stop before the water is used by consumers.
The pace of construction is expected to be aggressive to achieve substantial completion in November of 2013 and final completion in April 9, 2014. That is only 510 working days, start to finish!
Adding to that pressure, the young Texas office didn’t yet have an established field crew. Says Project Manager Eric Ness, “Everyone that is working on the project relocated here. People moved from Denver, Atlanta, Santa Fe, and Dallas. It’s been a major effort, but we’re really working on getting ourselves established as a major player all over Texas, and this is our first major job. It’s a monumental opportunity to represent WSCI and pioneer in this Area.”
Since everyone on the team is new to Laredo (and most of them are new to Texas), a crew orientation was in order. “Last week, we took three full days with the full team in the Dallas-Fort Worth office and did an orientation,” says Ness. “It was everyone’s first opportunity to meet in person, so it was a social opportunity, too. We had dinner and get to know each other.”
In a similar vein, to help all the subcontractors get on the same page with WSCI, Ness instituted a Subcontractor Readiness Program. “It takes a lot of things we did already and brings them to the fore so that there are no surprises. We’re talking about quality, safety, environmental concerns, and contractual concerns. It’s about sharing our goals for the project and getting buy-in from the entire team.”
Ness and his crew anticipate a few challenges from the site itself. Once part of a ranch, the site is a densely wooded area immediately next to the Rio Grande - with no existing road access. “We’ll have to build a road in for one-and-a-half miles, and put in utilities. It’s truly a project we’re building from the ground up.” In addition, the land is an archeological site with remains of a historic ranch house. WSCI is taking precautions to work entirely around the structure, so that no damage will occur.
Ness reiterates how much WSCI appreciates the can-do attitude of the El Pico team.” All of them – and we have four new hires, too, college graduates who’d interned with us – they’re uprooting, leaving behind everything they know to join a whole new team and make this happen. We have huge appreciation for what they’re doing.”
Metro PAR 1085
Scheduled for final completion in December of 2015, the $135.5 million Metro PAR 1085 project entails two phases; construction, demolition, and refurbishment of two buildings and 10 clarifiers – and one giant site.
At 800 ft. long x 400 ft. wide (or about the size of three football fields), the size of the site has required some unusual equipment. Three tower cranes dominate the landscape, helping crews cover “twice as much ground in half the time,” says Mechanical Project Manager Mike Cliff.
Such efficiency is critical, for not only does the project involve simultaneous work in several areas, it presents a tight schedule as WSCI strives to complete Phase One 180 days early and earn a substantial bonus. Construction Manager Doug Langfeldt is confident that they’ll make it. “Our project team is maximizing their core value skills, with ‘Can-do attitude’ and ‘Intensity’ being the norm rather than the exception.”
Phase One (underway and set for early completion on Feb. 12, 2014) includes construction of a new south secondary basin complex, refurbishment of five existing secondary clarifiers, and beginning to convert the existing basin into an RAS pump station. Phase 2 (completion date of October 17, 2015) will entail completion of the RAS pump station, as well as refurbishment of five additional clarifiers. The end result will be increased plant capacity to 182 MGD average (258 MGD peak).
In addition to size and schedule, the project is challenging because the existing plant must remain operational. To achieve this, the project has been carefully phased and the site divided in half. Cliff says the job involves “intricate tie-in procedures and tons of coordination.” Another challenge is that, because the project involves excavating more than 40 feet below the level of the Platte River, slurry walls and sheeting are required to control the extensive dewatering.
Langfeldt praises the team for working efficiently while staying focused on safety. He also says they have some fun. “They are practicing ‘Extreme Housekeeping’ by taking site clean-up to the next level. Our traveling ‘Golden Broom’ award [a gold-painted broom] helps motivate crews because the winning crew also gets a steak dinner cooked by the PMs.”
Buckman Direct Diversion Project
A joint venture with CH2M Hill, the Buckman Direct Diversion Project will create a diversified and more dependable water system to support the growing Santa Fe region.
In addition to providing regional infrastructure for the Rio Grande surface water diversion system, the Buckman facilities comprise raw water transmission, a new water treatment plant, and a means for distributing finished water to the existing city system. Existing well fields can rest during spring run-off or wet years, then be brought “online” during periods of drought or poor surface water quality.
Elledge Wasterwater Treatment Plant
In December 2008, a diverse team led by WSCI began mass excavation for the $51.9-million Archie Elledge Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion.
The thrust of the project is replacing plant systems including a new headworks facility, four new primary clarifiers, three new backup power generators, and a new central control building that uses SCADA systems. Additionally, Western Summit is constructing and installing new yard and site drainage systems, pump stations, roadways, and landscaping.
Middle Oconee Water Reclamation Facility
The Middle Oconee WRF is one of a trio of upgrades that comprise the largest public works project in Athens / Clarke County history. Responsible for collecting millions of gallons of wastewater from residents, businesses and industries, the facility ensures that the water is properly treated and returned safely to area waterways. This expansion will increase plant capacity from 2 MGD to 10 MGD, and add state-of-the-art technology that will improve the level of treatment.
City of Brighton GID Phase 1 Utility Project
With a contract value of nearly $5.5 million, this project will expand Brighton's infrastructure in support of its growing population. Phase 1 highlights include construction of 27,000 linear feet of 24"-diameter water line, 21,000 linear feet of 24"-diameter sewer line, a lift station, and four tunnels. The water lines are installed eight feet deep, while the sewer lines are more than twenty feet below ground.
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Minorities, women, disabled, and veterans are encouraged to inquire about all open positions.
