BROOMFIELD, Colorado, April 15, 2009 - MWH, the wet infrastructure sector leader and global provider of environmental engineering, construction and strategic consulting services, has won the 2009 CMAA (Construction Management Association of America) - Southern California Chapter Project Achievement Award for the Orange County Water District's Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) Project in the category of Infrastructure Project, Greater Than $100 Million. CMAA presented OCWD & MWH with the award during the CMAA Annual Awards Dinner in Pasadena. Calif., on April 2nd.
The GWRS is a visionary water purification project that will help increase Orange County's water independence by creating a locally controlled, drought-proof supply of safe, high quality water. The project comprises three phases: (1) Advanced Water Purification Facilities (AWPF) and pumping stations; (2) a major pipeline connecting the AWPF to existing recharge basins; and (3) extension of an existing seawater intrusion barrier. MWH performed third-party Construction Management for the 10 construction contracts under the $475 million project.
The AWPF is one of the largest advanced water treatment facilities, using the most advanced treatment technologies available. MWH's early involvement in the project led to the achievement of efficiencies, reduction of risks to the District and $7 million in value engineering savings. The project team maintained an aggressive schedule for the 13-mile pipeline portion, despite encountering several difficult obstructions during the 21 individual tunnel crossings required in the alignment.
Since 1999, CMAA has been presenting its Project Achievement Awards to recognize instances in which professional construction or program management has made a significant contribution to the successful completion of a challenging project or program. Owners and other professional construction managers evaluated and judged the project submittals based on merits such as outcomes, overall management, safety, quality management, cost management, schedule management, complexity, innovation, creativity and customer satisfaction.
