For Greene County’s first-ever collaborative delivery project, we worked as part of an integrated team on the successful Northwest Regional Water Treatment Plant (NWRWTP) Improvements, using progressive design-build.
Greene County, located in southwestern Ohio, is home to about 168,000 residents. It features a blend of urban centers and rural landscapes, creating a diverse and close-knit community.
The County is recognized for its proactive approach to water quality, including the Greene Forward initiative, which aims to modernize water infrastructure and improve reliability for residents.
The public water supply in the county comes from an underground aquifer. As the water is pumped from beneath the ground, it passes through limestone, resulting in hard water with a high concentration of minerals — particularly calcium and magnesium. Since the existing water treatment facilities didn’t remove these minerals, residents were required to install expensive and difficult-to-maintain, in-home water softening systems.
The NRWTP Improvements marked a turning point for Greene County, making sure that water is not only reliable but also easier on homes, businesses and the environment.
Expanding water capacity and improving infrastructure
This $45.6 million project expanded the County’s water system capacity from 10.5MGD to 12 MGD and provided the ability to expand capacity to 16 MGD in the future. Constructed at the site of the existing NWRWTP, this project included:
- A new aerator and reaction tank as well as improvement to existing aerators, reaction tank and gravity filters
- New gravity filters with new filtered water break tank
- A new membrane-softening facility with integrated reverse-osmosis/nanofiltration (to achieve 8 grains per gallon hardness) and all supporting feed pumps, cartridge filters, membrane skids, cleaning equipment and chemical-feed systems
- Relocating the existing chemical feed systems to a new membrane building
- New clearwell mixing systems
- Renovating the existing administration building and maintenance garage
- A new standby generator and electrical service to site
- A complete upgrade of the SCADA system
The benefits of the project include increased system capacity, improved water quality and customer cost savings. Transitioning the system to 12 MGD allows for regional growth in the service area and the 16 MGD footprint plans for future needs. The enhanced water quality has been reflected in the taste, clarity and odor, while customers are saving money through reducing home softening salt demands or even removing the need for water-softening system installations, maintenance and replacements.
Collaborative delivery in action
As the single largest investment in its history, Greene County contracted with AECOM, as part of a joint venture (JV) with Shook Construction, to deliver the NWRWTP Improvements project under a collaborative delivery approach.
True collaboration was necessary to ensure that:
- The tight schedule could continue to move forward without being held up waiting for a decision to be made.
- As many meetings as necessary were held, and open communication lines were kept between the JV team, the plant operation staff, and the owner and its consultant teams.
- Both members of the JV could maintain constant communication.
- Members from both JV companies were onsite daily and worked hand-in-hand to make sure all necessary submittals received approval in a timely manner and technical decisions could be made immediately.
- The JV was allowed to direct their subcontractors without delay so their work could continue unimpeded.
Moreover, three major challenges arose during the project that were able to be resolved, due to the collaborative nature of the team and the use of progressive design-build.
Overcoming challenges through true teamwork
Meeting an expedited schedule
Because a compressed timeline was critical, the progressive design-build approach enabled the team to develop an enhanced scheduling concept to decrease general condition costs, strategically sequence construction activities to keep existing facilities operational and maintain water quality standards throughout the process. As a result, the team was able to construct the new facilities while maintaining an uninterrupted water service.
Adapting to supply chain disruptions
Delays caused by COVID-19 required us to identify critical equipment early and expedite procurement. We also leveraged the firms’ collective experience and project backlog to mitigate supply chain issues and work closely with the County to ensure quick approval of equipment orders. Through these collaborative efforts, the team was able to procure long lead–time equipment without falling behind on the construction schedule.
Overcoming commissioning hurdles
During commissioning, excess iron breakthrough in the filters affected membrane performance. Working as a cohesive team — designer, contractor and owner — we established system capacity using new facilities while minimizing reliance on existing filters, rehabilitated 12 filters with new media in just six months, and ultimately brought the new plant online quickly to deliver high-quality water to customers.
A lasting impact for Greene County
The Northwest Regional Water Treatment Plant Improvements project showcases the transformative potential of progressive design-build. Through a collaborative process uniting designers, contractors and the County, the project delivered a modernized water system designed to meet both current needs and future demands. Beyond construction, the improvements have strengthened Greene County’s water infrastructure, enhancing resilience, operational efficiency and sustainability. These advancements ensure reliable service and long-term benefits for the community, supporting both quality of life and economic growth.