The AZ Water Association recently recognized McCarthy’s Chandler Airport Water Reclamation Facility (AWRF) expansion project as “Wastewater Project of the Year.”The $75 million wastewater treatment plant, constructed for the city of Chandler, is located near McQueen and Queen Creek roads. The AZ Water Association presented the award to the project team at the association’s AZ Water Awards held on May 5 in Glendale as part of the 83rd Annual Conference and Exhibition. The award recognizes wastewater projects completed between March 2009 and March 2010 that include outstanding features, unique aspects and/or innovations.
“We’re honored that this project has been named Wastewater Project of the Year by the AZ Water Association,” said Robert Knochenhauer, vice president and business unit leader of McCarthy’s Water Services team. “Working in conjunction with Wilson Engineers and the city of Chandler, our project team was able to develop dynamic, responsive solutions to the increased water demands faced by the city.”
The construction expanded the AWRF’s treatment capacity from 10 million gallons per day (mgd) to 15 mgd and included the installation of new treatment processes, equipment and reservoirs. In addition to increased capacity, the plant also boasts enhanced reclaimed water capabilities, which support the use of recycled/reused water for irrigation purposes.
The project team logged more than 650,000 man-hours over the 29-month-long project without a single lost time incident, a remarkable safety record.
“McCarthy has been a great partner on this project,” said Kim Neill, utility operations manager for the city of Chandler. “The project team came to the city’s aid when a major sewer line leading into the plant burst beneath McQueen Road last August. Even though the problem was not caused by their work, they mobilized support immediately to resolve the flooding and bring the situation under control.”
Planning and preconstruction for the Chandler Airport Water Reclamation Facility began in March 2007 and the project was completed in November 2009.
About McCarthy
Ranked among the “Best Places to Work” by The Business Journal in Phoenix, McCarthy has helped define the Arizona landscape for more than 30 years. Founded in 1864, McCarthy is one of the oldest and largest privately held construction firms in the nation. The Water Services team in the Southwest offers general contracting, construction management, program management and design-build services for wastewater and water treatment projects in Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas. The team also covers construction projects in the mining, solar, nuclear and fossil fuels industries. McCarthy is 100 percent employee owned. For more information, visit www.mccarthy.com.
