Another Win for MWH in Saco, ME

Earlier this year, the City of Saco selected MWH as the Construction Manager At-Risk for the $50M Water Resource Recovery Facility Upgrade project. The project consists of a new treatment building with aerobic granular sludge treatment processes, secondary filtration, and UV disinfection with upgraded grit removal and solids handling, as well as the conversion of existing clarifiers for additional stormwater storage and site grading alterations to mitigate tidal flooding from the adjacent Saco River.

Coming off the heels of the successfully completed Saco River Drinking Water Resource Center (SRDWRC) project, MWH’s Maine-based key team took a proactive approach to pursuing the Water Resource Recovery Facility Upgrade project. To familiarize themselves with the project’s aerobic granular sludge technology during the proposal phase, MWH’s project team visited the Aqua-Aerobic Systems facility in Loves Park, IL, to gain a comprehensive understanding of how the AquaNereda® technology works and learn the best methods for installing and commissioning the complex system firsthand. MWH’s UK-based sister company, MWH Treatment, also provided the team with hands-on training and best practices derived from installing and operating eight AquaNereda® systems. The knowledge gained from these efforts continues to be tremendously beneficial as the project progresses.

Today, MWH is constructing this project using a phased approach to complete and commission the new treatment processes before modifying the existing infrastructure with minimal downtime to the facility.

BUILDING ON CONTINUED SUCCESS

MWH is well known as the constructor of similar water and wastewater projects in New England. Early last year, MWH completed the Maine Water Company’s $44M SRDWRC project in Biddeford, ME, while keeping the project on schedule and under budget. The project featured stormwater management and wetland preservation to ensure the conservation of valuable local natural resources, including a red maple swamp and a wild brook trout habitat. These elements along with other project efforts led to the project’s recognition with the Envision Silver Award from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure.