DeKalb County greenlights $233.8 million design-build contract for Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant

DeKalb County greenlights $233.8 million design-build contract for Scott Candler Water Treatment PlantThe DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has approved a massive overhaul of its primary water treatment facility, part of a broader package of water and wastewater investments that includes SCADA upgrades and on-call service contracts.

Ruby-Collins, Inc. was awarded a $233.8 million design-build contract for the demolition and construction of new clearwells and a high service pump station at the Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant.

The board approved an $18.1 million change order with GS Construction, Inc. for on-call water and sewer installation, repair, and emergency response services.

A substitute change order for SCADA software systems management was awarded to Tesco Controls, Inc. for $3.28 million, securing significant savings from the originally proposed $5 million.

The investments align with the county's "10 by 10" initiative aimed at ensuring long-term access to clean water and reliable water pressure across the county.

DeKalb County is moving forward with one of its most significant water infrastructure investments in recent years, following the Board of Commissioners' approval of a $233.8 million design-build contract for the Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant (SCWTP). The contract, awarded to Ruby-Collins, Inc. during the board's August 25 meeting, covers the demolition of existing infrastructure and the design, construction, and commissioning of new clearwells and a high service pump station. The Public Works and Infrastructure (PWI) Committee Chair highlighted the magnitude of the approval during the meeting, noting that the $233 million investment is reflective of the county's "10 by 10" initiative voted on last year. The chair emphasized that the investment is critical to ensuring that future generations of DeKalb County residents have access to clean, fresh water and reliable water pressure. In addition to the SCWTP overhaul, the board approved several other high-value contracts to support the Department of Watershed Management (DWM). GS Construction, Inc. was awarded an $18.1 million change order to provide on-call water and sewer installation, repair, and emergency response services throughout the county through June 2027. The county also secured a revised agreement for its SCADA controls and instrumentation. The board approved a substitute change order with Tesco Controls, Inc. for SCADA software systems management at water and wastewater treatment plants. The substitute contract was approved at $3.28 million, which the presiding officer noted was a "good savings" compared to the originally proposed $5 million amount. Other notable water and wastewater approvals included a $1.26 million contract to Integrated Construction Management, Inc. for the field verification and reporting of public and private service lines, and a $394,309 change order to Morgan Contracting, Inc. for a UV disinfection system as part of the Snapfinger Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion Phase 3B project. Meanwhile, discussions regarding a water and sewer customer assistance program are ongoing. While the board approved a contract renewal with the Urban League of Greater Atlanta for the operation of the assistance programs, commissioners deferred a related water and sewer code amendment to continue discussions with the administration and the Urban League on structuring a pilot program for water debt repayment.