Review Water Treatment Plant Schedule and Construction Method

The purpose of this case is to discuss to possible construction  methods for the construction of the proposed 10 million gallon per day (MGD) water treatment plant.

Based upon research with other communities, it is common to employ a design-bid-build model for the construction of water treatment plants.  In this process, a multi-disciplinary consulting engineering firm employing a team of architects, water process engineers, structural engineers, surveyors, and construction inspectors is hired to design the WTP, after which the City bids the project with assistance from the consulting engineer, and the consulting engineer oversees construction of the WTP.  The benefit to this approach is that the same team is used to design the WTP and to stake and oversee construction of the WTP.  Plans and specifications can be developed quickly with a multi-disciplinary consulting engineering firm, minimizing chances for for errors since all disciplines are employed by the same firm, and fewer glitches should be expected during construction since the surveyors and inspectors are familiar with the plans and specifications and are able to contact the proper personnel quickly as questions surface during construction.

The other alternative construction process commonly used in municipal construction is the Construction Manager Advisor model.  This model is currently being used for the construction of the new PW facility. Under this model the city hires an independent construction management firm that works closely with city staff and the architect to design and manage the construction project.  They work with staff to set the preliminary project budget, manage the bidding process, construction schedule, review architectural plans and in our case helped interview architectural firms. They also track the budget through out the project to help keep it in line and assist with value engineering if needed.
 

20 Minutes

Water Fund 9601 and Sewer Fund 9602

John Nelson, Grant Riemer and Staff

Due to the complexity of a water treatment plant, staff would recommend using the design-bid-build model. Where as the PW facility is primarily a vehicle storage and maintenance facility, the water treatment plant houses several multi part processes responsible for providing safe, clean, drinking water for our community.

Schedule
Once the construction management method is decided on, the tentative schedule would be:

Prepare RFP in house, PWC review, CC approval – 7 weeks
Submit RFP’s, wait for proposals –5 weeks
Review proposals in house, select top 3 firms – 2 weeks
Council work session interviews – 2 weeks
Present top candidate to council – 1 week
Selected firm prepares plans and specs – 28 weeks
Council approves plans and specs – 2 weeks
Plans out to bids – 5 weeks
Accept bids, award and execute contract – 3 weeks
Begin Construction
Complete construction – 86 weeks

This schedule should allow the water treatment plant to be operational by fall of 2023.