Sustainability-focused Reedy River Basin Sewer Tunnel project in South Carolina recognized for excellence in construction management, administration
The American Public Works Association (APWA) has named a Black & Veatch-managed sewer tunneling project in South Carolina the “2022 Public Works Project of the Year,” reflecting Black & Veatch’s excellence in construction management involving sustainable infrastructure. The Renewable Water Resources (ReWa) Reedy River Basin Sewer Tunnel — also known as the “Dig Greenville Project” — won in the environment category for projects costing $25 million to $75 million.
The Greenville project addressed the upstate of South Carolina’s changing infrastructure wastewater needs by expanding wastewater capacity to accommodate the quickly growing population while keeping costs and environmental impact at a minimum. Because rebuilding the existing sewer line would have been too disruptive to Greenville and the river basin, ReWa — the local wastewater utility — and Black & Veatch took a creative approach, choosing to install a new sewer tunnel approximately 100 feet below the City of Greenville. Powered by gravity, the sewer tunnel will promote sustainable growth by mitigating wet weather overflows.
“’Dig Greenville’ is a great example of the progress achievable when public works planning, design, engagement and adaptability are integrated harmoniously for a project,” said Stephen O’Connell, the project’s construction manager for Black & Veatch. “We are proud to have contributed to Greenville’s sustainable growth and are honored to be recognized by the APWA for our work with ReWa on this project.”
Black & Veatch provided planning and alternatives evaluation, design engineering and construction management for the tunnel, which will increase the Greenville region’s sewer capacity, protect the local environment and support responsible residential and industrial growth.
The APWA award recognizes publicly developed, owned and maintained infrastructure projects that promote excellence in construction management and administration. These awards recognize the alliance between the managing agency, the contractor, the consultant and their cooperative achievements.
“The award recipients exemplify infrastructure projects planned, designed, constructed and maintained to advance the quality of life for all in their communities. Public works projects are critical to confronting the challenges of failing infrastructure across North America, by rebuilding our resiliency and telling our story to support infrastructure funding,” said Stan Brown, the APWA’s president. “I am proud and inspired by all of our public works members who continue to deliver outstanding, selfless services to their communities.”
- To learn more about Black & Veatch’s work on the Reedy River Basin Sewer Tunnel, click here.
- Black & Veatch's Reedy River Basin Sewer Tunnel also recently was named the Underground Construction Association’s project of the year.
- APWA will recognize this year’s Project of the Year Award winners in a video posted to www.apwa.net on Aug. 31.
- For more details about Black & Veatch’s water and wastewater solutions, click here.
About Black & Veatch
Black & Veatch is a 100-percent employee-owned global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company with a more than 100-year track record of innovation in sustainable infrastructure. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people around the world by addressing the resilience and reliability of our most important infrastructure assets. Our revenues in 2021 exceeded US$3.3 billion. Follow us on www.bv.com and on social media.
About Renewable Water Resources (ReWa)
Since 1925, ReWa has been committed to providing high-quality wastewater treatment services to upstate South Carolina while promoting a cleaner environment, protecting public health and the water quality of upstate waterways, and developing the necessary sewer infrastructure to sustain our community and growing economy. Servicing nearly 500,000 industrial, commercial and residential customers in Greenville County and parts of Anderson, Spartanburg, Pickens and Laurens Counties, ReWa’s mission is to improve our community’s quality of life by transforming wastewater into renewable resources through responsible and innovative solutions. To learn more about ReWa, visit rewaonline.org.
About APWA
The American Public Works Association (www.apwa.net) is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 30,000 members involved in the field of public works. APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy, and the exchange of knowledge. APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, MO, with an office in Washington, D.C., 63 chapters, and 97 branches throughout North America.
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