Quick Facts
Project quick facts and answers for frequently asked questions about the project.
How does contract transparency with Progressive Design-Build (PDB) help contain costs?
Key features of the Progressive Design-Build (PDB) process are the transparency of the contract and the ability of the City to examine costs before committing payment.
The city used qualifications-based selection to choose the design build team, requiring a waiver process because this project wasn't traditionally competitively low bid. This is a benefit because, at any point in time the City can ask the contractor to reveal their costs and payments and do audits to ensure there are no egregious markups. Such transparency would be unavailable in a traditional contract that was selected in a bidding process. The contract also allows the City to examine and agree to costs along the way, rather than committing the full sum upfront.
What is Progressive Design-Build (PDB), and how does it help deliver a project sooner?
Progressive Design-Build (PDB) allows for faster decision-making in design and construction because one company designs and builds the facility, allowing for early procurement of necessary components.
Because the contractor knows the scope of the design early in the process, some components can be built now, rather than waiting for one to two years for the complete design. One example is the early procurement of membrane racks. Knowing what type of membranes, the City would be using helps the team design the size of the building. This also allowed the City to lock in the price now and gives more time to address any global supply chain or manufacturing issues.
Why are the costs rising?
Rising costs are based on many factors. Some of which include inflation, clogged supply chains, and uncertainty about future markets.
Currently the costs associated with building the new water plant are based on assumptions and similar projects that have already been built, parametric costs. In addition, the current quoted costs for the project are based on assumed mid-point construction costs. As we move further along in the design process and begin construction, we will be able to have real time costs based on actual bids from contractors. At each phase the cost of the project will fluctuate, with staff always working to optimize the project and pull back the price.
How much water can the replacement Water Treatment Facility pull from the Rogue River each day?
The replacement facility will be able to withdraw and treat 22.5 million gallons of water per day from the Rogue River when it begins operation, though there is room to expand capacity.
The city can currently treat up to 20 million gallons of water per day from the Rogue river. Each membrane rack in the replacement facility is designed to filter approximately 3 to 4 million gallons per day. As the facility adds rack to keep pace with increased demand, the facility will eventually be able to withdraw and treat 45 million gallons of water per day, doubling the amount it will treat upon opening, and able to serve the needs of our future residents.
How is the design of the Replacement Water Treatment Plant going to help reduce the overall cost compared to other designs some municipalities have used?
The design is a compressed compact layout, rather than a campus-like setting.
Many water treatment facilities are now designed and built like a campus, where things are spread out. But that space adds cost because of the piping and the power connections between buildings, as well as landscaping, roads, etc. While the site of the replacement facility can accommodate a campus setting, the city opted for a compact design; fewer building materials will be needed because things are closer together, and the space-saving can be utilized for future expansion when necessary.