Water reclamation is an important part of sustainable construction, enabling us to use our precious water resources more efficiently. Florida is leading the US in wastewater reclamation, converting over 850 million gallons of water per day, thanks to facilities like the Orange County Utilities Hamlin Wastewater Reclamation Facility. With the help of this new facility, more than half of Florida’s reclaimed water can be used to irrigate people’s homes, golf courses, parks and schools, easing the demand on public water supplies. This $110.6 million project is crucial for the state of Florida’s future, but general contractors, Wharton-Smith, Inc., faced a myriad of difficulties during the construction process that required them to innovate and invest in sustainable practices.
Challenges keeping the project on track
Construction of the Hamlin Wastewater Reclamation Facility faced unexpected challenges as the project began prior to COVID-19 in December 2019 and had to adjust while still meeting deadlines through 2021. From material shortages to logistical issues, the pandemic brought unforeseen complexities to the construction project. Drew Gumieny, Project Executive at Wharton-Smith, explains, “The main challenge when building the plant was trying to figure out a way to keep construction going while dealing with COVID… As the world shut down, factories shut down, logistics were an issue with people leaving.” This posed a concern as it meant that the team had to transition from an on-site working model to fully remote construction while also keeping communication consistent.
Embracing digital tools for remote construction
It was integral to invest in construction management software to maintain timelines for the construction of the facility. Wharton-Smith moved to a fully remote working environment and implemented RedTeam Flex to enable effective team collaboration, manage vendors and track progress on the project. The solution provided transparency into project status, budgets and timelines, which allowed for quick pivoting when changes needed to be made. Gumieny adds, “With RedTeam Flex the ability to track submittals in stages, get the metadata behind it… and use it as a form of an expediting log is pretty huge.” With the help of digital tools, Wharton-Smith was able to build critical infrastructure remotely while keeping track of the project.
"RedTeam has found a way to methodically approach the construction process. It [RedTeam Flex] has really changed the way that we do business."
With Florida’s rising population and high irrigation needs, sustainable infrastructure projects like the Hamlin Water Reclamation Facility are essential to the environment. Wharton-Smith’s use of construction management software played a vital role in overcoming challenges and streamlining the construction process to build the facility. The teams were able to stay ahead of their project timeline despite the added complexities of working remotely during a pandemic.
Find out how RedTeam Flex can help your team on critical builds like the Hamlin Wastewater Reclamation facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is wastewater reclamation and why is it important?
Wastewater reclamation is the process of treating and reusing wastewater for beneficial purposes such as irrigation, industrial processes and replenishing natural water systems. It’s crucial because it helps conserve water resources, reduces the demand on public water supplies and supports sustainable development.
Q: How is Florida leading the US in wastewater reclamation?
Florida leads the US in wastewater reclamation by converting over 850 million gallons of water per day. Facilities like the Orange County Utilities Hamlin Wastewater Reclamation Facility play a significant role in achieving this by using advanced technology to treat and repurpose wastewater efficiently.
Q: What are the benefits of the Hamlin Wastewater Reclamation Facility?
The Hamlin Wastewater Reclamation Facility provides numerous benefits, including reducing the demand on public water supplies, supporting irrigation for homes, golf courses, parks and schools and contributing to sustainable water management in Florida. This facility is essential for meeting the state’s future water needs.
Q: What challenges did the construction of the Hamlin Wastewater Reclamation Facility face?
The construction faced several challenges, including material shortages, logistical issues and the need to adapt to remote working conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges required innovative solutions and effective use of digital tools to keep the project on track.
Q: How did Wharton-Smith, Inc. overcome construction challenges during the pandemic?
Wharton-Smith, Inc. overcame construction challenges by transitioning to a fully remote working environment and implementing construction management software like RedTeam Flex. This software enabled effective team collaboration, vendor management and progress tracking, ensuring the project stayed on schedule despite the pandemic.
Q: What role did digital tools play in the construction of the Hamlin Wastewater Reclamation Facility?
Digital tools played a crucial role by providing transparency into project status, budgets and timelines. The use of RedTeam Flex allowed the team to track submittals, manage metadata and expedite logs, which facilitated remote construction and ensured consistent communication and efficient project management.
Q: Why is sustainable infrastructure important for Florida’s future?
Sustainable infrastructure is vital for Florida’s future because it addresses the state’s rising population and high irrigation needs. Projects like the Hamlin Water Reclamation Facility support environmental sustainability by conserving water resources and reducing reliance on public water supplies.
Q: What are the key features of RedTeam Flex that benefited the construction of the Hamlin Water Reclamation Facility?
Key features of RedTeam Flex that benefited the construction of the Hamlin Water Reclamation Facility include the ability to track submittals in stages, manage project metadata, provide transparency into project progress and use it as an expediting log. These features allowed the team to manage the project remotely and adapt quickly to changes.
Q: How does wastewater reclamation contribute to environmental sustainability?
Wastewater reclamation contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing the need for fresh water, thus conserving natural water resources. It also minimizes the environmental impact of wastewater discharge by treating and reusing water for various purposes, supporting a circular water economy.
Q: What is the economic impact of investing in wastewater reclamation facilities?
Investing in wastewater reclamation facilities has a significant economic impact by creating construction jobs, reducing the costs associated with water supply and treatment and supporting industries that rely on reclaimed water. It also ensures long-term water security, which is essential for economic stability and growth.
