CASTLE ROCK, Colorado — Burns & McDonnell, a 100% employee-owned engineering, architecture and construction firm, announces the completion of the design and construction of the advanced treatment project at Plum Creek Water Purification Facility in Castle Rock, Colorado. The firm partnered with Garney Construction to complete the addition of advanced water treatment technologies at the facility, to provide safe and long-term treatment options as Castle Rock expands its water supply by including reuse water.

“Given our semi-arid climate and projected growth, we were faced with the challenge of securing a long-term renewable water supply,” says Mark Marlowe, director for Castle Rock Water. “With input from local residents and businesses starting in 2006, we identified advanced treatment technologies to provide purified reuse water from water supplies we already own as a key component of our long-term plan.”

The Town of Castle Rock used a collaborative project method, allowing Burns & McDonnell and Garney Construction to have enhanced communication throughout the entire project. Burns & McDonnell completed the design in September 2018 while working closely with Garney Construction to review the constructability of the design for the advanced water treatment facility. Intensive collaboration was critical given the intricacies involved with multiple treatment processes being added to existing systems while continuing to operate the plant. The project was substantially completed in December 2020 and, after extensive testing, reuse water began flowing through the system in February 2021.

“The success of this project is a testament to our long-standing relationship with the community of Castle Rock and Garney Construction,” says Mark Lichtwardt, senior vice president and general manager of the Denver office for Burns & McDonnell. “The comprehensive solutions used for the water supply and treatment systems help position the town for long-term success in providing treatment capabilities for a diverse supply of water sources.”

The design strategy included incorporating treatment capabilities for indirect and direct reusable resources from the existing water reclamation facility. As part of the solution for developing the raw water supply and corresponding treatment system, the team implemented a redundant and systematic set of processes to see that the water would meet purity standards. The primary purpose of the advanced treatment processes included systems with a primary purpose of targeting and removing contaminants of emerging concern and other unregulated contaminants from the water supply.

“We are excited to have partnered with the town and Burns & McDonnell on this project that is propelling Castle Rock toward its future goal of 75% renewable water sources,” says Wayne O’Brien, chief operating officer of Western Plant Operations for Garney Construction. “Working collaboratively, we formed a team with experience, capacity and drive to provide a forward-thinking, long-term water treatment solution.”

Burns & McDonnell ranks among the top 10 design firms in the U.S., according to Engineering News-Record (ENR). Additionally, the firm has been recognized by ENR as one of the top 10 design-build firms in the nation.

About Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 7,600 engineers, construction professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities with more than 55 offices, globally. Founded in 1898, Burns & McDonnell is a 100% employee-owned company and proud to be on Fortune’s 2020 list of 100 Best Companies to Work For. Learn how we are designed to build.