(Lawrenceville, Ga., April 17, 2012) – Gwinnett’s new Yellow River Water Reclamation Facility has replaced six old, inefficient treatment plants. On Tuesday, commissioners learned the actual cost of construction, $245 million, is $5 million less than planned.

“The state’s Environmental Protection Division allowed us to consolidate these old plants into one and to reduce the overall pollutant load going to the Yellow River Watershed,” said Tyler Richards, Deputy Director for Operations of Water Resources.

“The new facility allows us to replace the old Jackson Creek, Beaver Ruin, Yellow River, Jack’s Creek, No Business Creek and Big Haynes Creek facilities,” said Lynn Smarr, Assistant Water Resources Director. “We were convinced using a newer ‘construction manager at risk’ method of contracting versus the traditional 'plans and specifications and low bid process’ would save money – and I’m proud to report that our decision paid off.”

PC Construction, Jacobs, CH2M Hill, Precision Planning Incorporated and Gwinnett County staff all located offices on site to work together daily. Their efforts delivered the new facility while keeping the old one running during construction while maintaining permit limits. The project even survived the September 2009 flood without any major work stoppages or significant spills.

Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash said, “I’m so pleased that our Water Resources team and the contractors could bring such a large, important project on line at a reduced cost. I commend everyone involved for doing an outstanding job.”