Our VDC Team Supports The Donald C. Tillman Advanced Water Purification Facility Project
The Ferguson Waterworks Virtual Design and Construction team supports potable reuse projects such as the Donald C. Tillman Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF) in Los Angeles.
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Project Overview
The Donald C. Tillman Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF) in Los Angeles is a state-of-the-art facility. In fact, it represents a significant leap in sustainable water management. It is even established as one of the most significant potable reuse projects globally. As a vital solution to drought and water supply shortages in a city marked by its arid climate, this facility will transform Los Angeles’ approach to water sustainability.
Their new water reuse facility will recycle water directly, combating drought conditions, meanwhile enhancing the available water supply for residents and businesses alike. Furthermore, it harnesses cutting-edge technologies such as microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and advanced oxidation processes. As a result, the AWPF will purify an impressive 30 million gallons of water per day (MGD) with provisions to be expanded to 45 MGD. That means it will serve over 200,000 customers in the local community. With a price tag of over $740 million—and approximately $224 million in funding secured from the EPA—this ambitious project aims to revolutionize water management. It is projected to save the city approximately $81 million in operational costs annually.
Challenge
Often, in traditional project management, key design milestones dictate an engineering estimate. However, as teams progress through these milestones, estimates can quickly become outdated. Consequently, generalizing assumptions may lead to inaccuracies. In addition, various disciplines continue to work in silos, focusing solely on their specific duties. Similarly, this diminishes potential synergies. That’s why, when it comes to a large design-build project, such as a water and wastewater treatment plant, traditional project management methods often prove insufficient. In fact, they may prolong the project, cause inaccuracies, and create a negative domino effect.
Solution
Ferguson Waterworks proudly served as a collaborative delivery partner for this plant and strategic infrastructure project. We contributed our expertise as Waterworks Supply Chain Procurement Specialists (WSCPS) across various disciplines and trades. This included fire protection, commercial plumbing, mechanical process piping, and utilities.
In addition, we implemented our innovative and flexible Virtual Design and Construction services. Fostering cross-functional collaboration, early process conflict resolution, and streamlined material estimation and procurement.
Method
We aimed to break away from conventional project management in order to facilitate a collaborative design-build project. As premier Waterworks Supply Chain Specialists, we provided Virtual Design and Construction services to leverage a streamlined, multifaceted approach that embraced clear communication.
How does a Virtual Design & Construction partner add value to design-build Potable Reuse Projects?
Constructible Modeling
By integrating cross-functional capabilities, we develop a model-based Bill of Materials (BOM) and a constructible model early in the design phases. The model-based BOM ensures we track all project materials from the beginning. This precise inventory optimizes procurement processes and reduces material shortages/excess. As a result, it paves the way for a seamless construction process and ultimately saves time and costs.
Enhanced Collaboration And Greater Transparency
When clients engage the Ferguson Waterworks VDC team and LOD 400 detailing effort early, they receive immediate feedback on the engineering model, instant constructability review, value engineering concepts, and a fully coordinated trade-level model. This all happens months before typical availability. As a result, the project team has a dynamic working model, which greatly improves estimate accuracy because they are based on actual materials and components. This includes real-time cost analysis and material availability, fostering greater collaboration among various disciplines, trades, and stakeholders, all within the same model. Access to real-time data not only tracks project costs but also creates a transparent overview of quantities and material availability. By continuously monitoring systems, teams seamlessly adapt to changing conditions and needs, ensuring that everyone remains aligned and informed, which significantly enhances overall project precision and efficiency.
Optimized Constructibility
Intelligent constructible models provide a visual representation of the facility’s piping systems. These models enhance collaboration among stakeholders, including engineers, architects, and contractors, by offering an intuitive design view. As a result, this clarity provides early identification and resolution of potential challenges. Furthermore, it improves both communication and understanding across disciplines, therefore, reinforcing project effectiveness.
Why Partner With Ferguson Waterworks For Potable Reuse Projects?
Our technical VDC and BIM capabilities, innovative VDC resources, and strong expertise in supply chain procurement uniquely qualify us for large water treatment projects such as the Donald C. Tillman Advanced Water Purification Facility. As a result of our comprehensive capabilities, customers can enhance project efficiency and accuracy from the outset. Furthermore, our VDC team’s ability to develop a model-based Bill of Materials early on supports meticulous planning. From addressing potential discrepancies in material requirements before they could impact the project timeline or budget to detecting trade clashes early when it is easiest to make design changes. In this case, our strategic partnership not only demonstrates a commitment to sustainable water management but also positions the AWPF as a leader in innovative construction practices. Moreover, collaboration through the integration of various specialties, such as plumbing and fire protection, aligned with the customer’s vision for a cohesive project environment.
By breaking down silos and fostering communication among all stakeholders, we help ensure a smoother execution. Our focus on real-time material analysis and intelligent modeling facilitates proactive problem-solving, ultimately paving the way for a revolutionary approach to water purification. This synergy underscores the value of collaboration in achieving complex project outcomes effectively and sustainably.
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