Client:
Fulton County
Public Works, Water Services Division
Tim Equels, Assistant Public Works Director

Constructed Value: $290 million

Project Duration:
July 2002–ongoing

Parsons Services:
Program management, construction management,
capital
improvements
program
development assistance, owner controlled insurance program contractor assistance, engineering management, strategic planning and predesign, O&M turnover testing and startup assistance, assistance in obtaining land permits and right of ways, permitting and compliance, management information system, bid assistance, interaction with public agencies and committees

Parsons Contact:
Tony Taylor,
Program Director
Fulton County PM/CM

Click here for information on
Johns Creek Environmental Campus

Autry Mill 54" Water Main – construction of the venturi vault used to measure water flow from the plant to the 54" pipeline

Fulton County is Georgia’s largest. Population growth, along with stricter regulations in the county and the metropolitan areas surrounding Atlanta, prompted the need for greater water and wastewater capacity. In 2000, the county identified the need for a capital improvements program (CIP) based on various studies and reports on Metropolitan North Georgia water and wastewater requirements. The result was Fulton County’s 2004 CIP.

A Parsons-led joint venture, with partners PMCM International and USInfrastructure and subconsultants Atlanta Utility Contractors and D. Clark Harris, is providing program and construction management (PCM) services for this capital improvements program. Parsons PM Team won this contract because we assembled a team of qualified companies, with proven track records, that could satisfy the county’s desire to combine PM and CM services. Our team’s expertise in large water and wastewater programs coupled with our local presence and existing program knowledge convinced the County Commissioners that we could successfully combine PM and CM services. Impressed, they selected our team to serve as their PM/CM group.

The Parsons team provides supplemental full-time professional staff to assist the county in creating centralized, efficient, experienced, and creative resources to successfully implement this capital improvements program. The county initially contemplated a 45% water rate increase to fund a $630 million bond sale. However, the Parsons-led JV’s advanced asset management techniques and CIP business planning developed a just-in-time project selection criterion for the county’s CIP. This innovation resulted in a more attractive rate increase of only 5% and a $280 million bond sale for water and wastewater projects that will advance the county’s ability to keep pace with the infrastructure and water quality demands of its customers. The reduced projected rates were so well received by the Fulton County Commissioners that they voted unanimously for the 2004 CIP and for the $280 million bond.

Johns Creek Odor Control Project – covers placed over the digesters and a scrubber placed in the background remove odors

Fulton County has two objectives in implementing this program. The short-term objective is to organize and simultaneously execute the several projects slated by the County Board of Commissioners. Doing so will minimize cost escalation and inflation, improve the quality of life for residents by reducing service interruptions and frequency of critical repairs, and provide infrastructure to support public and private economic development. A longer-term objective is to establish the management techniques and controls that will organize and deliver the planning, design, engineering, and construction of the multiple infrastructure projects that make up the capital improvements program.

This program has afforded Parsons the opportunity to provide the full spectrum of our services on behalf of our client. The range of PCM services includes (click on water droplets):

With this project, Parsons now has a premiere water and wastewater PM/CM program on the East Coast. Ultimately, this program will also include existing client programs such as a 1998 Water and Wastewater CIP and an owner controlled insurance program.

North Fulton County Elevated Water Storage Tanks (Bethany Tanks) – both tanks have been in service since July 2003 and can hold 2 million gallons each	North Fulton County Elevated Storage Tank (2 million gallons) – interior pipe for tank top support also serves internally as a service ladder

Even as the joint venture is managing the 2004 CIP for Fulton County, we have identified an additional $350 million in capital improvements that could benefit the county and its residents. If the client goes ahead with the additional capital improvements, this program could more than double in the coming years.

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