For construction owners and water infrastructure contractors, upgrades at operating treatment facilities require careful sequencing, constructability planning and coordination to maintain essential services. IMCO Construction’s Everett Water Filter Plant Phase 2 Capital Upgrades project in Washington has earned an ENR West 2026 Award of Merit, recognizing the project team’s approach to executing complex improvements within an active water treatment operation.
The City of Everett selected IMCO Construction and Kennedy Jenks to deliver the $28 million project through a progressive design-build model. The facility, located in Sultan, provides drinking water to more than 675,000 people each day.
The Phase 2 project included improvements to the fluoride tank and associated building, replacement of aluminum and polymer tanks, flocculation basin improvements and upgrades to the east clearwell gates.
The scope required construction activities to be integrated with an operating water treatment facility. Maintaining plant operations while completing infrastructure improvements increased the importance of sequencing work around existing systems and coordinating construction activities with facility operations.
The project team used constructability planning and collaboration during design and construction to address the constraints associated with working within an active treatment environment.
The progressive design-build delivery method brought IMCO and Kennedy Jenks together during project development, allowing design and construction considerations to be coordinated as the work progressed.
Close coordination with City operations personnel was also required to manage construction activities without disrupting the facility’s ability to serve communities throughout the region.
The recognition comes through ENR West’s Regional Best Projects program, which evaluates projects based on factors including how teams overcome challenges, construction and design quality, safety and contributions to the industry and community.
Water treatment facilities are essential infrastructure, but upgrading them can be more complicated than constructing new facilities because construction must often occur around existing operations.
The Everett project highlights the importance of delivery methods, constructability planning and operational coordination when owners undertake capital improvements at active treatment plants. For contractors pursuing water infrastructure work, these considerations can influence project sequencing, subcontractor coordination, safety planning and overall delivery risk.
Source: IMCO Construction.
