“Groundbreaking” Project Delivery Method Leads to New Brandenburg Wastewater Treatment Plant
Feb 23, 2021
An innovative project delivery approach by the city of Brandenburg in Meade County was the driving force behind a groundbreaking February 5, 2021 for an $8.3 million state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant.
The new plant was deemed essential after the Nucor Corporation announced its plan to build a $1.7 billion steel plate manufacturing mill in an industrial park that includes Brandenburg’s existing wastewater treatment plant. Even though government funds were scarce, Brandenburg had to move quickly. Luckily, a 2016 law (HB309) authorized local governments to take advantage of public-private partnerships (P3). The P3 delivery method allows private companies to participate more fully in local infrastructure projects, to include using private sector financing.
“Brandenburg had a serious need,” said Mayor Ronnie Joyner. “We had to build a new wastewater treatment plant that could handle not only the present, but also the future needs of the city. We needed to explore all of our options to find the quickest and most cost-effective way to build this plant.”
Brandenburg turned to law firm Frost Brown Todd (FBT) as their P3 consultants under FBT’s Master Agreement with the Commonwealth. FBT helped guide the city throughout the process, to include issuing a P3 Request for Proposals (RFP) to design, build, and finance the plant, as well as receive other innovative solutions, negotiating the agreement, and facilitating the regulatory approval process with the Finance & Administration Cabinet, Department of Local Government, and Division of Water.
After a competitive procurement process, The Walker Company, a Kentucky-based design and construction firm, in partnership with GRW Engineers Inc. and WP3 Consulting, was selected as the design/build contractor, while Ross, Sinclaire & Associates (RSA) provided the necessary financing in partnership with Kentucky League of Cities Financial Services and the Kentucky Bond Corporation (KBC).
Because of the project’s size, Kentucky’s P3 law required the Kentucky Local Government P3 Board review and approve Brandenburg’s P3 process and agreement. The P3 Board unanimously approved the project, the first it had considered since the Board’s creation. In the end, a third-party study found Brandenburg’s P3 approach will save the city upwards of $3.5 million in costs and a year in project delivery time.
“This approach had not been undertaken by a local government in Kentucky since the enabling legislation was passed,” said FBT attorney Jason Halligan. “The traditional approach of going through state government for grants or loans adds months of waiting, as well as extra costs. We were able to help expedite the project at a significant savings.”
“The approach used here also can be the model for other Kentucky communities who need to build or upgrade infrastructure facilities,” said The Walker Company CEO Jake Schirmer. "I applaud the vision of the leaders of Brandenburg and Meade County for making this project become a reality.”
Brandenburg and Meade County will each fund half of the project, with KBC issuing bonds for the construction project. “This project will be a huge boost for economic development here,” added Meade County Judge Executive Leslie Stith. "The Nucor Corporation is already providing 400 new jobs here. This added treatment capacity is an asset as we recruit other companies to join us and increase opportunities for the people of Brandenburg and Meade County.”
Private funding is an option more communities may take in the future. “There are many private sector capital sources looking for innovative projects in Kentucky in which to provide financing,” added Schirmer. “We are extremely excited to be part of the first, and what we hope to be many, successful P3 developments in our Commonwealth.”
Construction of the new wastewater treatment plant is expected to take 16 months and be operational by June 2022.
More News and Articles
Mar 24, 2023
News
Innovative technologies remove pharmaceutical residues from wastewater
Every year on 22 March, World Water Day reminds us of the importance of one of the most important resources of life. Almost two-thirds of our planet is covered with water, but not even three percent is drinkable freshwater. Every …
Mar 22, 2023
Article
Delivering sustainable solutions to solve water challenges
With British Water’s conference on creating a more sustainable water sector approaching, Stephen Kennedy, head of digital and innovation at MWH Treatment shares his views on celebrating recent successes in creating a more sustainable sector while also discussing the challenge …
Mar 20, 2023
News
Supporting the National Water Strategy through scientific research
This month, the federal government of Germany introduced the first National Water Strategy. “With this strategy, the federal government is shining a spotlight on the necessity of integrated water resource management, serving as a leading example of resource use in …
Mar 17, 2023
News
Trenchless manufacturer celebrates installation of 100,000th liner
SAERTEX multiCom®’s trenchless pipe relining product, SAERTEX-LINER, has been installed for the 100,000th time.
Mar 13, 2023
News
Spring collaborates with Microsoft and Impact X on water innovation
The water sector’s innovation centre of excellence – Spring - is collaborating with Microsoft and Impact X on a new initiative to make tools and funding available for start-ups to accelerate their companies.
Mar 10, 2023
Article
State of Global Water Resources report informs on rivers, land water storage and glaciers
WMO reports on freshwater availability in a changing climate
Mar 08, 2023
News
Australia: Centenarian sewer gets after-dark upgrade
Over 100 years since its inception, Brisbane’s S1 Main Sewer has undergone a seven-year upgrade.
Mar 06, 2023
News
UKWIR gives access to hundreds of water sector research reports
UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) is providing free access to over 1,000 of its water sector research reports aimed at helping to improve water and wastewater services for customers, and protecting the environment.
Mar 03, 2023
News
Sector must challenge public misconceptions through engagement
The water sector must tackle “unfair criticisms” by sharing more about the great work it delivers, Yorkshire Water’s chief executive, Nicola Shaw, told attendees at British Water’s Better Together reception in Hull.
Mar 01, 2023
News
World-first project to ‘self heal’ cracked concrete using sludge could save $1.4 billion repair bill to Australia’s sewer pipes
Water treatment sludge could be used to prevent 117,000 kilometres of sewer pipes in Australia from cracking in future, without any intervention by humans, helping to save $1.4 billion in annual maintenance costs.
Feb 27, 2023
News
Delaware Water Treatment Plant Opts for Penetron to Protect New Concrete Structures
The final 2022 commissioning of the Doe Run Road Water Treatment Plant enables the city of Newark, Delaware (USA), to increase the quantity and quality of the city's drinking water to better meet growing demand – and EPA guidelines. PENETRON …
Feb 24, 2023
News
Aussie Trenchless: the future of pipe rehabilitation solutions
Aussie Trenchless has been passionate about progressing future infrastructure opportunities and accomplishing superior outcomes since it was founded in 2014.
Contact
The Walker Company
Nancy Wiser
200 Apperson Heights, Suite 200
KY 40353 Mount Sterling
United States
Phone:
+1 859 227 8850