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.
Vista Ridge Recognized Internationally, Winning Top Water Awards
Apr 2017
APRIL 2017 – As the largest privately financed water project to close in North America to date, Vista Ridge has received top honors on a global platform. The $927 million project will support the construction of a well field, pump stations, 142-mile water pipeline, and terminus site carried out by the Vista Ridge consortium led by Garney P3 with the construction contract executed by Garney Construction.
Vista Ridge was named North America Water Deal of the Year by IJGlobal and Project Finance International (PFI). Both organizations celebrate industry excellence on a global scale, with IJ Global recognizing the best in energy and infrastructure and PFI honoring project finance professionals. Garney accepted the awards on February 1 in London and March 15 in New York.
On April 24, Vista Ridge was awarded Water Deal of the Year by Global Water Intelligence (GWI) in Madrid, Spain. Vista Ridge was up against three impressive competitors: a desalinization plant in Aqaba, Jordan; a sea-water reverse osmosis plant in Oman; and, a water treatment plant in the Bulcan Province of the Philippines.
International attention on Vista Ridge developed when the original equity partner encountered financial difficulties and Garney stepped up to assume a leadership position. San Antonio is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. The Vista Ridge Regional Water Supply Project remains a critical project for helping San Antonio secure their water future. Vista Ridge will expand San Antonio’s water supply by 20 percent, decreasing pressure on the sensitive Edwards Aquifer, which is subject to federal, state, and regional pumping regulations.
Water supply is expected to flow by 2020, complementing SAWS’ continued conservation efforts and development of water resources as San Antonio adds an additional one million residents by 2040.
“Vista Ridge, Garney P3, and Garney Construction are all humbled by the international recognition associated with this momentous P3 project,” said Scott Parrish, Chief Operating Officer of Garney Construction. “We look forward to successfully delivering this project on time and on budget to do our part in helping secure San Antonio’s water future.”
Senate Passes Water Resource Development Act
Oct 2016
OCTOBER 2016 – Following years of action by a diverse alliance of water sector organizations, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016 has passed with strong bipartisan support. This is a crucial step to investing in the future of water infrastructure. The bill passed with a 95-3 vote on September 15 and is now pending consideration by the House.
Since the development of this bill, Garney has maintained an active presence in voicing support through local congressional representatives. If passed, this hallmark legislation will authorize new and existing water infrastructure financing through fiscal year 2021. Impactful authorizations and reforms to the bill include:
- Investment in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers water resources and conservation projects including: navigation, flood management, and ecosystem restoration
- Aid in reducing communities’ public health risks and rural drinking water systems
- Development of financing for innovation in water technology
Learn more about the importance of this bill and its potential impact through the Library of Congress.
Garney Pacific Lands Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project
Jan 2016
JANUARY 2016 — California American Water selected Garney Pacific to construct the majority of its $92 million desalination pipeline network. Concurrently with two other water pipeline contractors, Garney Pacific will construct 22 miles of pipelines, pump stations and storage facilities along the Monterey Peninsula to deliver desalinated water to 100,000 residential and commercial customers. Garney Pacific, a subsidiary of Garney Holding Co., was established in 2015 to focus operations on constructing water and wastewater projects in Northern California.
The Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project will include a source water intake system, a 9.6 MGD or 6.4 MGD desalination plant, brine discharge system, product water conveyance pipelines and storage facilities, and an aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) system. Once complete, the new network will replace reliance on the Carmel River as a primary source of water supply. With schedule and budget as primary drivers in the qualifications-based selection process, California American Water will conduct value engineering efforts with all three water pipeline contractors during the first half of 2016.
“The award of the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project is a significant achievement for Garney Pacific and anchors our expansion into Northern California,” said Scott Parrish, Chief Operating Officer of Western Pipe Operations. “We look forward to continuing Garney’s tradition of excellence with this extremely important project, and we’re excited to exceed California American Water’s expectations, and to perpetuate Garney’s reputation, goals, and philosophies.”
Bill E. Williams, Director of Northern California Operations, and Kevin Downs, Operations Manager, are spearheading Garney’s involvement on the project. Matt Roberts, who served as the Lead Estimator in the pursuit phase, will also contribute to Garney’s value engineering efforts on the project.
For more information on the project, visit the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project website.