Southside Integrated Pipe System (SIPS) program & Water Treatment Plant Improvements

Garney served as construction manager at risk for JEA’s Southside Integrated Pipe System (SIPS) program, with Mott MacDonald serving as the engineer, to strengthen the long-term water supply while reducing withdrawals from the Floridan aquifer. The program connects major treatment areas, allowing water to move from north of the St. Johns River to meet growing demand on the south side. By improving system flexibility, SIPS helps ensure a reliable water supply as the region continues to grow. 

Garney delivered both pipeline and plant improvements to integrate the system. Pipeline work included more than 41,000 LF of 30-inch raw waterline, 13,000 LF of 30-inch reclaimed waterline, and almost 300 LF of sanitary force main. The team also completed twelve 36-inch horizontal directional drills to cross wetlands and roadways, along with extensive dewatering and coordination with FDOT. 

At the Greenland Water Treatment Plant, improvements included a new 1.2 MG prestressed concrete ground storage tank, upgrades to existing tanks, and new yard piping with an intertie station to connect the system. Additional work included a water quality monitoring station, overflow and drain structures, and electrical and SCADA upgrades to support reliable operations. 

 Together, these improvements give JEA greater flexibility to manage supply across its system while protecting critical groundwater resources for the future. 

Solutions

Groundworks Box: The team trialed a Groundworks trench box as an alternative to traditional trench boxes, allowing crews to work in a limited footprint and operate with smaller equipment. 

 Wetland Crossings and Jobsite Access:  Pipeline installation had to cross major roadways and wetlands while maintaining traffic and minimizing disruption. Crews used composite wetland mats over 8.3 acres to provide temporary access, reduce the construction footprint, and comply with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. At the active Greenland Water Treatment Plant, work inside a secure, space-constrained electric power facility was completed using controlled access, compact work zones, and careful sequencing. 

Pipeline and Treatment Facility Coordination: Close coordination between pipeline and facility work was critical to integrating the SIPS system. Plant upgrades were sequenced with pipeline flushing and disinfection to avoid rework and delays. Garney, JEA, FDOT, and local stakeholders maintained regular communication to keep construction, operations, and permitting aligned. 

Project Status 

Construction is complete, and this portion of the SIPS infrastructure is now in operation. The improvements support JEA’s long-term water supply strategy by improving raw water conveyance, increasing storage capacity, and providing greater flexibility to meet growing demand while protecting groundwater resources.