MWRA Selects the CDM Smith Team for $28.9 Million Headworks Upgrade

BOSTON—The Mass­a­chu­setts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) has embarked on a significant undertaking in the upgrade of two of its large wastewater facilities. Ward Street Headworks and Columbus Park Headworks, which treat peak flows of 256 million gallons per day (mgd) and 182 mgd respec­tively, are located in dense urban areas in the city of Boston and require extensive refur­bish­ment. In addition to technical challenges, imple­men­ta­tion of the project must minimize impacts to the daily routines of neighbors, students and businesses, as well as to existing facility operations.

To help with this important project, the MWRA announced the award of a $28.9 million, 9-year contract to the CDM Smith team, including AECOM and Green Inter­na­tional Affiliates. The team will provide design, permitting, bidding, and construc­tion phase engineering services for the complete refur­bish­ment of both headworks facilities. These facilities provide wastewater screening and grit removal prior to conveyance of flow to the Deer Island Treatment Plant, a crucial step in the wastewater treatment process that ultimately allows the effluent to be safely released back into the environment.

The team was selected unanimously by the MWRA Selection Committee, and approved by the Board of Directors, for its excellent combined qual­i­fi­ca­tions and strong technical approach, which carefully considered construc­tion sequencing to maintain continuous facility operations, as well as visual, noise and site layout impacts to the surrounding community. Innovative tech­nolo­gies like 3D laser scanning, RealWear HMT-1, Taqtile’s Manifest and Microsoft’s HoloLens will be used throughout the project lifecycle to enhance quality control for design accuracy, reduce construc­tion change orders, and enhance operator training during the start-up and commis­sion­ing phases and beyond. 

This is one of the largest, most complex wastewater projects that the Authority will undertake in the near future, and the CDM Smith team provides an ideal combination of expertise and first-hand experience to ensure its success.

CDM Smith is a privately owned engineering and construc­tion firm providing legendary client service and smart solutions in water, environment, trans­porta­tion, energy and facilities. Passionate about our work and invested in each other, we are inspired to think and driven to solve the world's envi­ron­men­tal and infra­struc­ture challenges.