Calls Creek Water Pollution Control Plant Upgrade

Ardurra, partnered with Crowder Construction, delivered a comprehensive Design-Build upgrade of the existing Calls Creek Water Reclamation Facility, transforming an inefficient 0.67 MGD facility into a state-of-the-art 1.5 MGD Bardenpho BNR system with expansion capability to 3 MGD. The existing plant suffered from permit compliance issues, deteriorated equipment, and capacity loss, requiring immediate intervention to serve community needs.

Rather than pursuing the county's original concept for a used/relocated 1 MGD unit, Ardurra's design team developed an innovative alternative featuring a new 135-foot diameter outer tank with three-stage Pho-Redux Fine Bubble BNR Process and inner 62-foot diameter clarifier. This approach delivered superior performance at lower cost per gallon with reduced risk profile.

Key Project Highlights:

• Constructed new 1.5 MGD BNR facility with expansion capability to 3 MGD, replacing inefficient Orbal Process with MBR units

• Delivered lower implementation cost per gallon compared to original design concept while maintaining similar construction schedule

• Upgraded existing influent lift station with higher capacity pumps and piping for proposed flow rates

• Modified 600,000-gallon equalization tank to operate as off-line influent storage for peak shaving during rain events

• Maintained project schedule and budget through early stakeholder engagement including EPD and permitting agencies

• Implemented comprehensive QA/QC process with Subject Matter Expert reviews and regular design-build team coordination meetings

The project provided Oconee County with enhanced treatment capacity, improved permit compliance, and increased operational redundancy.