Chicago awards $27m contract for Kirie plant electrical and nutrient upgrades

Chicago awards $27m contract for Kirie plant electrical and nutrient upgradesThe Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago has appointed a joint venture for a dual-purpose project addressing aging power distribution infrastructure and biological phosphorus removal compliance.

Sollitt/Broadway Joint Venture secured the contract with a total not-to-exceed value of $27.05 million.

The project replaces original 1980s electrical equipment and installs baffle walls and mixers for nutrient management.

Upgrades are driven by upcoming regulatory permit requirements regarding phosphorus limits.

Executive Director Murray confirmed the Kirie plant will rely on biological removal rather than a nutrient recovery facility.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) has moved forward with significant infrastructure improvements at the Kirie Water Reclamation Plant (KWRP), approving a construction contract valued at approximately $27 million during its February 5 board meeting. The Board authorized the award of Contract 23-379-3E to Sollitt/Broadway Joint Venture, leveraging George Sollitt Construction Company’s established history with Illinois water treatment infrastructure projects. The agreement includes a base amount of $25,766,427, plus a five percent allowance for change orders, bringing the total potential cost to $27,054,748.35. According to Executive Director Murray, the project addresses two critical needs: the replacement of aging power infrastructure and compliance with environmental permits. Murray noted that the Kirie plant began operations in 1980 and the electrical equipment targeted for replacement is original to the facility. The new electrical systems are expected to have a useful life of 20 to 30 years. The second component of the project involves installing baffle walls and mixers to facilitate biological phosphorus removal. Murray explained that these upgrades are necessary to meet upcoming permit requirements for phosphorus limits. The baffle walls are projected to have a 30-year lifespan, while the mixers are expected to last approximately 15 years. During the meeting, Commissioner Davis questioned whether the improvements would incorporate nutrient recovery technologies, specifically referencing the Ostara system used elsewhere in the District to crystallize phosphorus. Executive Director Murray clarified that there are no plans to install a nutrient recovery facility at the Kirie plant. Instead, flows from Kirie and the Egan plant are directed to the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, where nutrient recovery processes are already established.