July 24, 2024: The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) has appointed Black & Veatch, a global leader in critical infrastructure, to deliver design and engineering services for comprehensive renewal and replacement projects at its three wastewater treatment plants. This selection underscores WASD’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing its infrastructure to meet evolving regulatory standards and sustainability goals.
The project encompasses substantial upgrades to vital components of the wastewater treatment plants, focusing on biological processes, filtration and disinfection systems, electrical generation buildings, and injection well pump stations. These enhancements are pivotal in ensuring the operational efficiency and regulatory compliance of the treatment facilities.
As part of this extensive contract, Black & Veatch will support WASD in implementing processes to reuse 60 percent of its wastewater, aligning with Florida’s Ocean Outfall Legislation (OOL) requirements. The OOL mandates that utilities in Southeast Florida eliminate daily ocean outfall usage by the end of 2025, reduce nutrient discharges, and establish technically and economically feasible reuse systems. This legislation represents a significant shift towards sustainable water management practices in the region.
Mike Orth, president of Black & Veatch’s Governments and Communities sector, highlighted the firm’s expertise in navigating regulatory changes and upgrading infrastructure. “As regulations evolve, the Black & Veatch team specializes in supporting utilities in upgrading and updating their infrastructure to maintain current standards,” Orth stated. “Bold new water and energy nexus strategies are needed to solve our clients' pressing needs. Our team is ready to leverage our more than a century of expertise in critical infrastructure to deliver modernization and new sustainable water reuse solutions to Miami-Dade County.”
A key aspect of the project involves the implementation of Effluent Energy Recovery Systems. This innovative solution utilizes non-potable water to cool plant buildings, replacing traditional cooling towers with heat exchangers. This approach not only saves the county millions of dollars but also enables WASD to meet legislative requirements for water reuse. The high-quality, non-potable water will then be disposed of through deep injection wells, ensuring it does not affect the county’s drinking water sources. Furthermore, the reuse system will be powered almost entirely by renewable energy sources, reflecting Miami-Dade County’s dedication to sustainable practices.
Roy Coley, Director of the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department emphasized the department’s commitment to excellence and environmental stewardship. “The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department is committed to being a model utility of excellence in reliability, resilience, and environmental stewardship,” Coley said. “We are eager to partner with organizations such as Black & Veatch and invest in opportunities that will best position the department to provide the highest quality of services to our customers.”
The collaboration with Black & Veatch is expected to set a benchmark in utility management and infrastructure modernization. By leveraging advanced engineering solutions and sustainable practices, WASD aims to enhance the reliability and resilience of its wastewater treatment plants while ensuring compliance with stringent environmental regulations.
Black & Veatch’s involvement in this project underscores its role as a trusted partner in critical infrastructure development. With a rich history of over a century in the field, the company brings unparalleled expertise and innovative solutions to address the complex challenges faced by modern utilities.