Sanford, FL – November 7, 2018 – Wharton-Smith, Inc., one of Central Florida’s largest locally based general contractors recently received Eagle Awards for three Water/Wastewater projects. Bestowed by the Central Florida Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractor’s (ABC) Excellence in Construction (EIC) committee, the Eagle Award is the chapter’s highest recognition across each of the judged categories. The winning projects are The City of Orlando Lift Station 5 in the $5-10 million Public Works/Environmental category, Southwest Regional WRF Biological Nutrient Removal project in the $10-20 million Public Works/Environmental category, and the Winter Springs Water Treatment Plant #1 Upgrades in the $1-5 million Public Works/Environmental category. Team members for all three projects were honored at ABC’s annual awards gala on Oct. 20 in Orlando.
The City of Orlando Lift Station 5 provides wastewater service for a 3.6 square-mile portion of the City of Orlando just west of Interstate 4 and downtown Orlando. The project consisted of construction of a new cast-in-place lift station, which increased capacity to 7.5 million gallons per day along with new sanitary sewer piping and manholes to provide flow to the new lift station. Upon completion, the existing station was demolished and modifications were made to the existing alum feed facility on the property of the existing lift station.
As part of the State of Florida’s Springs Protection Initiative, the Southwest WRF Biological Nutrient Removal Project was designed to help reduce the phosphorus and nitrogen levels in the Blue Spring State Park – a designated manatee refuge. The project included a biological nutrient removal process conversion of the existing facility, two new clarifiers, new chemical feed buildings, and re-aeration structure. Other modifications included a new bar screen at the headworks, filter improvements, demolition of old processes, and site work improvements. The project was funded by Volusia County Water Resources and Utilities, St. Johns River Water Management District, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
“It is truly rewarding to have upgraded a facility that not only supports the future growth of DeBary and the surrounding areas but also provides a sustainable positive environmental impact for the nearby Blue Springs State Park,” said Drew Gumieny, Project Manager. “The team collectively found ways to help problem solve and deliver a quality project to the Owner. I am extremely proud of their efforts,” he added.
Water Treatment Plant #1 is the largest of three facilities operated by the City of Winter Springs, servicing more than half of the City’s total potable water demand. As general contractor for the project, Wharton-Smith installed an Ion Exchange (IEX) Water Treatment System allowing the City of Winter Springs to re-establish the water quality benefiting both existing and future customers. In conjunction with the utilization of the IEX System, upgrades made to the chemical feed and SCADA controls systems allowed improved accuracy of flow metering and chemical dosing prior to public distribution. Wharton-Smith also installed three high service pumps and remodeled the operation building’s office, control room, and roofing.
Our very own Marketing Coordinator Pamila Evans served on the EIC committee and announced winners at the gala. We commend Pamila for the great job on this important event in our industry.
The EIC Awards program recognizes and celebrates outstanding projects in the region. Projects are evaluated by judges representing a cross-section of the industry and judged on execution of design, quality of craftsmanship, attention to detail, proper installation, outstanding planning and coordination efforts, challenges successfully overcome, project complexity, custom materials, safety, and owner satisfaction.
