CH2M HILL Takes 3 Awards at AAEE Contest
CH2M HILL has won three Excellence in Environmental Engineering awards for a water reclamation plant, a wastewater treatment plant, and a water treatment plant from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers (AAEE), according to a recent press release.
The Twin Oaks Valley Water Treatment Plant and Clovis, Calif., Clovis Wastewater Reuse Facility are 2009 Design Honor Award winners, while the Loudoun County, Va. Broad Run Water Reclamation Facility received the 2009 Grand Prize.
The Broad Run Water Reclamation Facility (WRF), the result of a 10-year partnership between CH2M HILL and its client, Loudoun Water, received national recognition from AAEE as the first large-scale application of membrane bioreactor (MBR)-carbon treatment-ultraviolet disinfection technology and the first MBR plant to simultaneously meet extremely stringent nutrient limits while providing multiple pathogen barriers to protect public health. In a campus-like setting that incorporates nature trails, rain gardens, and a display of the treated effluent to increase public understanding of water reuse, the $190 million, state-of-the-art, 11-million-gallon-per-day (mgd) Broad Run WRF also provides a community amenity that will have long-lasting educational, aesthetic, and recreational value to Loudoun County, Va.
The Clovis Wastewater Reuse Facility, completed in February, uses the latest technology to relieve the demand on underground and surface water supplies and will provide recycled water for irrigation. The 2.8-mgd plant uses low-pressure, high-output ultraviolet lamps for disinfection that require one-third the amount of energy compared to other ultraviolet options. Membrane bioreactors provide the opportunity for better automation, reduced facility size, and treatment performance.
The Twin Oaks Valley Water Treatment Plant (WTP) was designed, built, and is now operated by CH2M HILL for the San Diego County Water Authority. The 100-mgd water treatment plant is the first to be built and owned by the Water Authority, which is a wholesale distributor of both treated and raw water to its 24 member agencies. The facility is the largest submerged membrane installation in the world, also incorporating advanced ozonation and biological treatment.
The $157-million contract was awarded to the company in September 2005 and includes an annual operation and maintenance fee of $6 million per year. The design-build-operate approach allowed concurrent design, procurement, construction, and permit approvals to support a tight construction scheduled, saving the Water Authority time and money.
AAEE 's competition recognizes and promotes quality environmental engineering by selecting projects that demonstrate a comprehensive, integrated approach that considers all environmental media; reflect quality as evidenced by the degree of user satisfaction and proven performance; showcase originality and innovation; addresses complex environmental problems and situations; and contributes to social and economic advancement.