Clarke Creek Pump Station and Force Main Design Build Program

The Clarke Creek Program was a multi-phase Progressive Design-Build project to expand wastewater and water system capacity in northern Mecklenburg County. State and HDR partnered to deliver four GMP phases totaling $51.2 million, ultimately completing the program ahead of schedule and under budget, returning $10.38 million in savings to Charlotte Water.

The project centered on construction of a 50-foot deep, 2.5 MGD wastewater pump station designed for future expansion to 10 MGD. HDR developed the station design – including dual wet wells, space for six submersible pumps, surge control, an electrical building, standby generator, flow meter, and fully integrated SCADA – while State executed deep excavation, structural construction, mechanical installation, and commissioning.

Supporting infrastructure included more than 21,800 LF of 16 inch force main and nearly 7,000 LF of 18 to 30 inch gravity sewer. HDR provided routing alternatives, surveying, geotechnical coordination, and acquired 40 easements to support the pipeline alignment, which crossed wooded corridors, public roadways, multiple streams, two railroads, and a gas transmission right of way. Wastewater flow modeling and a seven mile downstream sewer capacity analysis informed pipeline sizing and integration with Charlotte Water’s system.

The program also delivered targeted mechanical, process, and controls upgrades at the McDowell Creek WWTP, including improvements.

Contract Bid: $61.6 Million
Contract Completion Value: $51.2 Million (Project efficiencies resulted in $10.38M returned to Owner.)
Contract Duration: 24 months
Completion: December 2024
Engineer: HDR