Watershed items: Snapfinger expansion management awards, storage-tank repairs and City of Atlanta CIP payment; $233M Scott Candler presentation postponed

DeKalb County’s Watershed Management items drew several approvals and a postponement of a much larger funding request.

The committee approved a change order to close out phase two of the Snapfinger advanced wastewater treatment plant expansion, with Tetra Tech providing administrative closeout work including transfer of warranty information and operational manuals. Separately, the committee recommended and approved a multi-year construction-management award (RFP 2025-154) to Arcadus US Inc. for Snapfinger expansion phases 3A/3C/3D with a not-to-exceed $20,583,451. Staff said the work will expand capacity, modernize systems and align with consent-decree timelines; anticipated final completion across phases was described as roughly 2030–2032.

Watershed staff also presented a substitute to correct the time duration for a City of Atlanta CIP payment covering quarters through Q1 2026, noting a total of approximately $29.8 million in the packet; commissioners approved the substitute. Staff proposed a $233 million request for Scott Candler plant improvements but did not have the presentation materials available; the detailed presentation was postponed to the committee meeting the following day and staff said the project had been included in a March CIP briefing and now includes concrete bid figures.

Staff presented a change order to an on-call water and sewer contract to replace nearly a mile (just under 5,000 feet) of 36-inch transmission main after an emergency failure exposed additional deterioration; commissioners approved the increase. The committee also approved a change order to repair and repaint three additional ground storage tanks, including interior and exterior work at the Lonia and Scott Candler plant sites, to ensure structural soundness.

Why it matters: The approvals advance a major wastewater capacity expansion and necessary maintenance to county water infrastructure. The postponed Scott Candler presentation signals a larger capital request will return with more complete materials for committee review.

What’s next: Staff will present the $233M Scott Candler request at the next committee meeting with full materials; Watershed will continue closeout steps for Snapfinger phase two and proceed with the approved construction-management contract and tank work.