Scope

The City of Atlanta and Fulton County, Georgia, independently own the Tom Lowe Atlanta-Fulton Water Treatment Plant, which has been operated by Veolia Water in a 50-50 joint venture partnership since 1990. This joint venture partnership manages all aspects of the facility O&M and works with the Atlanta-Fulton County Water Resources Commission, for any upgrades and expansions of the facilities.

Challenge

The Tom Lowe Atlanta-Fulton County Water Treatment Plant is a state-of-the art facility with the capacity to process 90 million gallons of water per day (MGD) for its customers. This water treatment plant provides drinking water to the drinking water distribution systems of City of Atlanta and Fulton County, Georgia, serving a population of over 400,000. Taking on O&M duties for such a critical project requires complete management, operations, maintenance and repair of the water treatment facilities and ancillary equipment and services, while ensuring quality and safe drinking water for the population.

Proposed Solution

Slater Infrastructure Group was selected as an MBE/FBE subcontractor for this project and has provided onsite qualified O&M services in the laboratory, CMMS, permitting and analysis, mechanical and electrical systems, pump station and flow meter maintenance, energy and other aspects of facility O&M services. Working together as a joint venture team has enhanced the overall project, while providing diversity and inclusion in keeping with the population served.

Results

During the time that this project has been in existence, the Tom Lowe Atlanta-Fulton County facility has received approximately 50 awards for stellar environmental compliance and safety. An especially notable achievement within this umbrella of compliance has been the recognition given by the Georgia Association of Water Professionals in the form of 9 Platinum Awards for compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. This project also won the prestigious national PPP (Public Private Partnership) award where it was celebrated as a model for other municipalities to follow in O&M services.  The implementation and successful execution of the project has resulted in decreased operational costs which in turn, have helped to maintain lower water rates for the customers within the service area. Accumulated savings to customers have exceeded $9.5 million and continue to escalate through various continuous improvement initiatives.