The new Banner Creek Water Treatment Plant will serve the recently formed Public Wholesale Water Supply District No. 18, which was formed to supply water to the City of Holton, Kansas and Jackson County Rural Water District No. 3.

Bids were received in the fall of 2000 with CAS Construction, Inc. as the low bidder, however, all bids were significantly over the City’s Budget. The District had two choices: approach the project as a Design/Build project to reduce cost, or rebid it. Not only would the rebid process be lengthy, the risk of being over budget once again remained. The decision was made to work with CAS and Bartlett & West utilizing the techniques of the Design/Build procurement system to bring the project into budget. Both companies had experience, individually as well as jointly, using this system to complete projects quickly while keeping an emphasis on quality and Owner needs.

The Engineer, Bartlett & West, and the Contractor, CAS Construction, met regularly and often over the next few weeks. By selecting a new orientation for the building on the site, revising the floor plan and using different materials for construction, the project duration was reduced by ten months and total project costs were reduced by $800,000. There was no attempt made to modify the process for the project. The Owner was able to provide input and make decisions based on life-cycle costs, preference for material and equipment, operator concerns, ease of maintenance and future growth and permitting issues.

The new plant has an initial capacity of 2 mgd and is expandable to 3 mgd by adding an additional cone clarifier and by adding filter cartridges to the existing filter skids. The treatment process utilizes claricones and ultrafiltration membranes. The new Plant has a workshop, offices, meeting room and laboratory. A completely automated control system allows unattended operation, if desired. Sludge storage lagoons, chemical feed systems, storage tanks, feed pumps and high service pumps were included. A masonry block building with a brick veneer front was provided including ventilation and electric heat systems as well as an air-conditioned office area.

The project was completed in April 2002 – on schedule and within budget. The Owner’s satisfaction and pride in the project has resulted in plans for an open house early in the summer of 2002.

For more information, contact Mike Hafling.

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