Garney constructs first plant of its kind in Southwest Florida
Aug 2017
AUGUST 2017 – Garney is at the helm of constructing an ionic water treatment plant that will purify water from three different aquifers with multiple different treatment systems. Using the latest in new technology, the Green Meadows Water Treatment Plant will be the first of its kind in Southwest Florida to process brackish and fresh water.
The $75.4 million plant for Lee County Utilities will replace a 40-year-old facility and reduce treatment cost per thousand gallons by 60%. This marks the second most expensive project undertaken in Lee County history, just behind the $78 million JetBlue Park – the spring training facility of the Boston Red Sox.
The plant, located near Fort Myers, will provide 14 million gallons per day to enhance reliability and address growing population needs. The County selected the latest in advanced technology to treat the water using multiple systems including:
Ion Exchange
With the ability to process 3.9 million gallons per day, five exchangers will remove organic compounds and color from the water. The system will treat the surficial water high in iron and hardness through large vessels, tanks, and a complex piping network.
Reverse Osmosis
Three reverse osmosis trains comprised of 672 cartridge pre-filters will be responsible for removing salt and hardness from the water. This process will be used to treat the brackish water from the Floridian aquifer.
Degasifier and Clearwell System
Primarily used to treat odor, the water will get degasified before flowing through a 55,000 gallon storage tank. Disinfection will follow through a concrete maze of three switchbacks and then be transported via several miles of distribution pipe.
“The design concept is unique in that water treatment facilities typically rely on one source, thus requiring one treatment process,” said Josh Petro, Project Manager at Garney Construction. “Not only are we constructing multiple treatment systems, but we’re using the latest technologies gaining momentum in the water industry. This is a hallmark project for Lee County Utilities and for Garney.”
Garney is serving as Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), managing 17 subcontractors with a daily workforce of 120 field craft at peak hours.
“Approximately 75 percent of the subcontractors are local and we’ve produced an estimated 300 jobs for local residents,” said Petro.
“Unlike most of our projects, Garney is not allowed to self-perform work on the site, but it has truly been a win-win for the County and Garney. We have been able to exceed the County’s expectations by adhering to our goals and philosophies, keeping expectations high, and championing teamwork.”
Construction is ahead of schedule and anticipated to be complete by December 2017. Commissioning and transfer activities will follow with the plant scheduled to be fully operational by August 2018.
$258 Million Wastewater Treatment Plant Begins Operation
Apr 2017
APRIL 2017 – A new advanced wastewater treatment plant which will eventually serve 300,000 customers across five Colorado metropolitan cities is now treating wastewater after 45 months of construction and commissioning. The $258 million plant is one of the largest progressive design-build wastewater treatment plants constructed in the United States to date.
With a rapidly growing community, Metro Wastewater Reclamation District began planning for the Northern Treatment Plant back in 1982. The new facility has capacity to treat 24 million gallons per day (MGD) with a buildout to 60 MGD.
Since construction started in late 2012, Garney has constructed more than 32 structures totaling more than 300,000 square feet of building footprint, 24 miles of yard piping, 3,000 valves, and 14 miles of interior piping that span the 100-acre site in Brighton, Colorado. Garney crews self-performed 950,000 man-hours over a 3.5 year construction period.
Construction and commissioning was completed by Fall 2016. Commissioning activities ensured the new facility would not only meet or surpass all regulatory requirements, but would also do so in an efficient and cost-effective manner. The plant has been fully operational since late September 2016.
Garney Expands Presence in South Texas
Jan 2016
JANUARY 2016 — Treatment facility operations are ramping up in South Texas with the addition of Garney’s Houston office. Under the direction of Vice President, Mike Gardner, leadership and staff have been added to Garney’s regional office located near Houston Hobby International Airport. Garney’s Houston branch opened in 2015, alongside new offices near San Francisco, Seattle and Washington DC.
Garney’s recent success in the South Texas market has resulted in water supply and wastewater treatment plant construction opportunities with the Lower Colorado River Authority, San Antonio Water System, and the City of Castroville.
“As Garney continues to grow, opening a Houston office and putting boots on the ground to expand our water and wastewater treatment plant capabilities in the South Texas market made great sense,” said Mike Gardner, Vice President. “For years, Garney has maintained a significant water pipeline construction presence in the area, so adding treatment plant capabilities will broaden our Texas footprint as a top water/wastewater contractor.”
James Schmerber and Michael Froelich, Project Managers, and Warren Henderson and Raul Arvizu, Superintendents, are managing Garney’s efforts in the Houston area. Cody Schmidt, Field Engineer, and Michelle Presko, Project Coordinator, will also be instrumental in developing Garney’s Houston operations.