• Innovative delivery approach will improve environment, save money
DENVER, CO, Apr. 16, 2009 -- Spokane County Commissioners selected full-service engineering, procurement, construction and operations firm CH2M HILL to design, build and operate a new wastewater treatment facility.
In January 2009, Spokane County Commissioners gave CH2M HILL the nod to begin the designing and permitting for the facility valued at nearly $130 million. Spokane County's new Regional Water Reclamation Facility is expected to significantly improve Spokane County's wastewater treatment capabilities, serve anticipated population growth, and meet septic tank elimination goals, while improving water quality and the environment by reducing phosphorus and other nutrient discharges to the Spokane River. The design-build-operate approach minimizes short-term capital expenses and long-term operational costs.
"CH2M HILL is committed to providing the County with the greatest possible value for its new water reclamation facility," says Spokane County RWRF Engineering Manager Rick Smith. "A single-entity DBO provider delivering all phases of this project assures the County that one company is responsible and accountable for meeting project timelines, wisely managing public resources, and protecting our environment for the next 20 years."
The 8-million gallon-per-day water reclamation facility will be expandable to 24 mgd and will use state-of-the-art membrane bioreactor and nutrient removal treatment to reduce phosphorus levels in the effluent to below 50 parts per billion.
CH2M HILL will design the facility with a focus on minimizing the environmental impact. The firm's sustainable-design approach not only ensures that the facility will meet regulatory requirements and will leverage the best available treatment methods, but also is crucial to the plant's operations. The sustainable design allows energy recovered through digester gas production, process heating and co-generation systems to generate electricity to help run the facility. A LEED Silver rating will be met for several key buildings.
The CH2M HILL team also has committed to subcontract construction work to local business enterprises to support the local economy and to retain as much work -- and the County's investment -- within surrounding communities.
The plant, expected to begin operations in 2012, will be operated by CH2M HILL for 20 years.
Founded in Oregon in 1946, CH2M HILL has deep roots in the Pacific Northwest and brings a long-term understanding of local design, permitting, community relations and construction issues. CH2M HILL's Spokane office opened in 1978.
Headquartered near Denver, Colo., employee-owned CH2M HILL is a global leader in engineering, procurement, construction, management and operations for government, civil, industrial and energy clients.
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