Upgrading water and wastewater infrastructure in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area

In the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, much of the water distribution and sewer collection system infrastructure has reached the end of their useful lifespan. These systems require upgrades to accommodate for future community needs like population growth and climate change. To update such important infrastructure, two municipal water authorities—DC Water and WSSC Water—are teaming up with external consultancies for long-term framework agreements. 

Most recently, Ramboll signed one framework agreement with DC Water and two agreements with WSSC Water. Collectively, Ramboll will continue to support and provide expertise to these long-term clients for at least the next 5-8 years through these new arrangements.  

“DC Water and WSSC Water are our long-standing partners. We look forward to continuing these rewarding relationships while they embark on upgrading their water and wastewater infrastructure in the Washington D.C. and surrounding areas. We are excited and honoured to be part of their journey, and highly motivated to continue to provide quality client service,” says Bob Dudley, senior division officer from Ramboll’s Global Water Division. 

Basic ordering agreements and support to the Potomac Water Filtration Treatment Plant 

The framework agreement with DC Water is a new ‘Process Facilities Engineering’ Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA). This BOA includes providing services for all DC Water process facilities outside the of their Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant. 

The first framework agreement with WSSC is a ‘General Engineering Design Services’ BOA that involves work at all WSSC facilities including water or wastewater treatment plants, pumping stations, etc. Ramboll is already developing proposals for electrical upgrades at the 285-million-gallons-per-day (MGD) Potomac Filtration Water Treatment Plant and at the 30-MGD Parkway Wastewater Treatment Plant, as well as creating a Comprehensive Water Quality Master Plan for WSSC’s entire water system from source to tap. 

The second framework agreement with WSSC is a ‘Construction Management Services’ BOA. This agreement involves providing construction management at all WSSC’s facilities. Ramboll has already started working with WSSC to support construction management initiatives that will last for several projects at their Potomac Water Filtration Treatment Plant.

About DC Water 

DC Water distributes drinking water, as well as collects and treats wastewater for more than 672,000 residents and over 17.5 million annual visitors in the District of Columbia. DC Water also provides wholesale wastewater treatment services to 1.6 million people in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland as well as Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia. DC Water operates a more than 1,350-mile water distribution system and 1,800 miles of sanitary and combined sewers.

About WSSC Water 

WSSC Water is a bi-county agency and is among the largest water and wastewater utilities in the United States. With a network of nearly 5,844 miles of potable water pipeline and over 5,610 miles of sewer pipeline, WSSC Water’s service area spans nearly 1,000 square miles in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties to over 1.8 million residents.