April 2025
Archer Western wins Build America Award for Big Creek WRF Expansion
Columbus, Ohio 鈥� Archer Western accepted a 2025 Build America Award at the Association of General Contractors of America's Annual Convention for work on the Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) in Roswell, Georgia. The project was recognized for significant achievement in the Utility Infrastructure Renovation category.
Built by Archer Western and Brown and Caldwell, The Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility Expansion encompasses the largest flow and service area in Fulton County, Georgia and an increase in treatment capacity from 24 million gallons per day (MGD) to 32 MGD and employed state-of-the-art-flat membrane treatment technology. The project was successfully delivered using a progressive design-build approach, ensuring efficiency and collaboration throughout its execution. The increase in capacity, along with a more stringent effluent permit, steered the County to select membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology as the main treatment process that reduces the waste load to the Chattahoochee River. The membrane supplier selection was performed at the beginning of the design phase utilizing the RFP process and best value selection method. The final design addresses plant capacity and compliance needs for the next 30 years, resolves odor/noise issues, and provides a facility for future facility maintenance and optimized lifecycle costs.
The upgraded facility also incorporates enhanced resilience features to ensure operational continuity in emergencies. A network of backup generators provides reliable power to maintain water treatment processes during outages, while the advanced membrane technology reduces the waste load to the river significantly. This level of treatment, paired with robust emergency readiness, supports both the community鈥檚 immediate needs and its environmental responsibility.