Council backs Short Hill groundwater treatment plant funding request; staff says cost down to about $11.2 million

Purcellville staff asked the council July 28 to approve a county CIP funding request for a new Short Hill Groundwater Treatment Plant with an initial phase capacity of about 201,600 gallons per day.

Andrea Broshkovich told council the project would add treatment capacity, backwash and sediment basins and a new access road; the building is being sized to allow a future capacity increase. She stated the current design-and-construction cost as $11,211,762 and noted that figure reflects reductions from prior estimates as staff and designers removed nonessential items. Council approved Resolution 26-07-05 and authorized the town manager or designee to execute the application and project administration agreements.

Council members asked staff which high-cost items were removed and discussed whether certain amenities such as air conditioning were necessary in a building operators occupy only briefly. Staff said the savings came from eliminating optional treatments and nonessential building components identified during the design review.