Cauley Creek Reclamation Plant (GA)

Challenge

Under a consent decree that restricted issuance of building permits until sufficient wastewater treatment capacity was available, Fulton County entered into a public-private partnership to build a $35 million, 2.5 mgd facility to meet its expanded wastewater treatment needs. The location of the site near a high-end residential community dictated that the facility produce zero odors, meet a prescribed noise limit, and blend in architecturally with surrounding structures.

Approach

The Parsons/Reynolds design-build team was awarded the design-build contract to deliver the facility through a qualifications-based selection process with negotiated costs and schedule. Parsons/Reynolds led public meetings to develop community trust and get approval for both the design development report (DDR) and national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permit. The design-build process made it possible to permit, design, and construct the facility in less than 11 months. The regulatory consent decree was lifted, and Fulton County was allowed to resume approving building permits in this high-growth service area.

Results

Since being placed into service, the Cauley Creek Reclamation Facility provided treated effluent that surpassed tertiary standards. This treated effluent was provided to local golf courses, subdivisions, schools, and churches for irrigation, thereby reducing the amount of water drawn from the Chattahoochee River. During the wet-weather season, when irrigation water was not required, effluent quality exceeded all state requirements for discharge directly to the river. This was Georgia’s first distributed reuse water system, and it significantly reduced water withdrawal from the stressed Chattahoochee River for irrigating golf courses and public facilities. In addition, the structure was designed to resemble a rustic country equestrian estate, in keeping with the surrounding landscape. To reduce odors, the facility incorporated a compact odor-control system for all enclosed buildings over odor-producing areas.

The Cauley Creek WRF was one of the first MBR facilities in the United States and helped establish a benchmark for designing future MBR facilities. The initial 2.5 mgd plant was so successful that Parson/Reynolds were selected to design and construct the facility expansion to 5 mgd.

Other member firm involved: SUEZ (now Veolia)