By: Michael Moore, P. E., General Manager/CEO, East Valley Water District
Everyone has heard of design-build, but how is it truly different from the way construction projects have traditionally been delivered? The stories and fables of bad design-build projects have made a lot of public agencies avoid considering a new project delivery method like design-build. Many of these agencies were unsure if they were even allowed to use design-build or the modified progressive design-build delivery method for their project.
The Public Contracting Code (PCC) governs the construction delivery of most California special districts. Over the past two decades amendments were passed to allow a specific category of projects for certain special districts to use design-build. However, many of those enabling laws were restrictive and even included sunset clauses, meaning they would eventually expire unless renewed by state legislation.
Meanwhile, in the private sector and university systems, project managers were expanding the use of progressive design-build to deliver innovative and collaborative projects in record time. That’s when a handful of public agencies partnered with the Design Build Institute of America (DBIA) Western Pacific Region to sponsor Senate Bill 706 by State Senator Anna Caballero, a new piece of legislation to enable cities, counties, and special districts to utilize design-build and progressive design-build.
Supported by CSDA and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2023, SB 706 expanded the use of design-build and progressive design-build for public projects until 2030. This bill marked a major change, as it allows special districts to consider and use both delivery methods. With many special districts successfully utilizing the design-build and progressive design-build approach, the future looks bright for these methods of project delivery.
East Valley Water District (District) recently completed the Sterling Natural Resource Center (SNRC), a wastewater treatment facility capable of treating up to eight million gallons of wastewater per day, using the progressive design-build approach. The District’s vision for the SNRC focused on integrating advanced wastewater treatment technologies, new community green spaces, and facility aesthetics that enhance the neighborhood. The facility exemplifies the principle of resource optimization for wastewater treatment infrastructure and redefines wastewater treatment plants as integral, visible parts of the communities they serve.
Although construction began before the passage of SB 706, this delivery method allowed the District to incorporate co-generator technology, after the start of construction, to offset the facility's electrical usage. As a result, the facility achieved a net-zero energy consumption and can even return power to the electrical grid. Incorporating this scale of a project modification would not have been possible with traditional project delivery methods and was one notable benefit in utilizing this approach.
For decades, wastewater treatment facilities have been designed to remain hidden from the communities they serve. The District built the SNRC to provide benefits that go beyond the typical commitment of public utilities. This project delivery method proved to be successful at East Valley Water District and should be considered for projects needing innovation, flexibility, and cost-effective delivery. SB 706 now allows special districts to take advantage of these project delivery methods for upcoming projects and can provide a path to project completion.
Resources:
A Word with DBIA-WPR's Brandon Dekker about CA SB 706, Expanding PDB
Tackling State Design-Build Legislation: California's PDB Bill as a Starting Point
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