The December 2024 Water and Wastewater Market Recap covers interesting and useful water industry news for this month. It contains updates on trending blogs from top AEC firms and notable projects.
Notable Capital Improvement Programs
Here are some recent, notable Capital Improvement Programs (CIPs). FirmoGraphs has deconstructed the CIPs into data elements, along with available project descriptions. Please feel free to request a meeting and review the data live in our business intelligence application.
Henrico County, Virginia, Planned Capital Program Increased By 11%
In the CIP covering the 2025-2029 fiscal years, Henrico County, Virginia, detailed plans to spend $2.5 billion on capital projects, an increase of 11% from $2.3 billion in its 2024-2028 CIP. The current CIP has 168 line items, compared to 159 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Henrico County’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.
Henrico County Boosts Public Utilities Funding by 20% for Key Infrastructure Projects
Planned spending in the Public Utilities category increased by 20%, or $87 million, with funding for new projects, including the Sewer Sub-basin Area Wide Sewer Rehabilitation and the Water Reclamation Facility Flow Equalization Facility. The Public Works category also saw an increase in funding for ongoing projects.
Henrico County Unveils $400 Million in Major Projects to Enhance Education and Utilities
Henrico County, Virginia, has six notable line items valued at over $40 million. The most significant line item is the Quioccasin MS Replacement, valued at $79 million, under the Education category. Other notable items include:
- Sewer Sub-basin Area Wide Sewer Rehabilitation - worth $54 million, under the Public Utilities category.
- Water Reclamation Facility Flow Equalization Facility - worth $48 million, under the Public Utilities category.
- New Fairfield Elementary School - worth $46 million, under the Education category.
- Highland Springs ES Replacement - worth $45 million, under the Education category
- North Run Trunk Sewer - worth $44 million, under the Public Utilities category.
Click Here to See Henrico County, Virginia, CIP
City of Rockville, Maryland, Planned Capital Spending Increased By 4%
In the CIP covering the 2025-2029 fiscal years, City of Rockville, Maryland, detailed plans to spend $185 million on capital projects, an increase of 5% from $178 million in its 2024-2028 CIP. The current CIP has 55 line items, compared to 58 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Rockville’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.
Utilities Increases; Recreation and Parks Decreases
Planned spending in the Utilities category increased by 17% with funding for ongoing projects. On the other hand, spending in the Recreation and Parks category decreased by 26% as a result of six projects slated for completion in 2024.
Rockville Invests Over $30 Million in Blue Plains Wastewater Upgrade
Rockville has only one notable line item valued at over $25 million: the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment project (FY21‐FY25), valued at $37 million, categorized under Utilities. This project represents the city's cost-share aimed at upgrading, expanding, enhancing, and improving wastewater treatment and solids handling at the DC Water Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant, as well as the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) and DC Water sanitary sewer transmission system.
Click Here to See City of Rockville, Maryland, CIP
City of San Fernando, California, Planned Capital Expenditure Decreased By 10%
In the CIP covering the 2025-2026 fiscal years, San Fernando detailed plans to spend $46 million on capital projects, a decrease of 10% from $51 million in its 2024-2025 CIP. The current CIP has 11 line items, compared to 21 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down San Fernando’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.
San Fernando's Water System Spending Cut by 46% with $12M Infiltration Project Set for 2024
Planned spending in the Water System category decreased by 46% due to the San Fernando Regional Park Infiltration Project, worth $12 million, which will be completed in 2024. The project consists of constructing a below-ground retention/infiltration basin system that will allow for recharging groundwater sources with approximately 400 acre-feet (130 million gallons) of stormwater annually.
San Fernando's $21M Infrastructure Boost: Reservoir and Bikeway Projects
San Fernando has three notable line items valued at over $5 million. The most significant item is the Reservoir 4 Replacement Project, valued at $8 million, under the Water System category. This project involves replacing an existing 1MG concrete reservoir with a new 1.1MG rectangular reservoir.
Click Here to See City of San Fernando, California, CIP
Trending Blogs from Top AEC Firms
To stay abreast of industry marketing trends, we regularly review blogs of the nation's top consulting and construction firms. These are some notable customer-focused blogs in December.
Archer Western completes Alliance Raw Water Infrastructure and Ground Water Treatment Plant
Summary: In December 2024, the Walsh Group mentioned in a blog post that Archer Western has completed the construction of the new Raw Water Infrastructure and Ground Water Treatment Plant for the Alliance Regional Water Authority in Central Texas. This 19 MGD facility will provide water to 225,000 residents in the cities of Buda, Kyle, and San Marcos, under an agreement to share water resources for the next 30 to 50 years. Located on a 569-acre site, the plant includes multiple pump stations, storage tanks, piping systems, and filtration technologies to ensure a sustainable water supply. The plant is designed to meet the growing demand for water in these rapidly expanding communities. It will significantly increase water capacity, especially for the City of Kyle, with a 26.7% rise in supply by 2027. The project will help address the long-term water needs of the region. The facility is expected to begin delivering water in early 2025.
Jacobs Awarded Contract for Metro Vancouver Critical Water Program
Summary: On December 11, 2024, Jacobs published an article stating that it has been chosen by Metro Vancouver to manage the Coquitlam Lake Water Supply Project in British Columbia, Canada. This initiative aims to enhance the capacity to access, treat, and distribute water from Coquitlam Lake, the region's largest drinking water source, while ensuring greater resilience to climate change. The project will include a state-of-the-art intake facility, a 5.3-mile water supply tunnel, and a new treatment plant to serve 2.7 million residents. Jacobs will oversee various aspects of the project, including permitting, design, construction, and the technical services required for the treatment pilot study. The project is crucial for addressing challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and aging infrastructure. By improving the region's water system, Metro Vancouver aims to secure a sustainable water supply for future generations. Jacobs' extensive experience in managing large infrastructure projects, such as the Thames Tideway Tunnel and the Pure Water Project, will support the success of this critical endeavor.
MEB Successfully Bids 5 Phases of South Central Wastewater Authority Nutrient Reduction Project
Summary: On December 18, 2024, MEB shared a post about the South Central Wastewater Authority (SCWWA), which provides wastewater treatment services to the City of Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Chesterfield County, Dinwiddie County, and Prince George County. The wastewater treatment plant project, originally estimated at $234 million in 2022, was restructured into six phases after value engineering and put out for bid again. MEB successfully won five of the six phases, excluding the administration building phase. The project phases include improvements such as sludge conditioning, electrical upgrades, new pump stations, clarifier replacements, and expansions to treatment tanks and facilities. MEB’s team, which includes executives, managers, and engineers, worked closely together, conducting site visits and collaborating with the project owner and engineers to ensure competitive and effective solutions. The goal of the project is to upgrade the plant to meet the latest state and federal environmental standards. With over 20 years of collaboration with SCWWA, MEB remains committed to advancing environmental stewardship in the region.
