Town water treatment station
Medway, Mass.
BEST PROJECT
Presented by Walsh Construction Co. II
Owner: City of Medway
Main design company: Wright-Pierce
General contractor: Walsh Construction Co. II
Structural Engineer: Wright-Pierce
Owner’s attorney: Environmental partners
The $20.6 million project houses advanced water treatment equipment and support facilities and also has room for future treatment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals. Although not required at the time of construction, space and infrastructure designated to accommodate PFAS filtration will streamline installation and future testing and significantly reduce the cost, disruption, and time typically associated with retrofitting treatment plants to meet evolving water quality standards.
This proactive strategy benefits the City of Medway and is an example for other municipalities navigating similar emerging pollutant concerns. Beyond future-proofing, the plant also improves system redundancy, ensuring reliable water distribution for Medway residents even in high demand or emergency conditions. The facility’s distribution and treatment processes were developed with input from the city and end users, prioritizing operational efficiency, safety and maintenance.
Photo by Tim Abely, courtesy of Walsh Construction Co. II
Modular construction techniques and efficient selection of materials helped accelerate the construction schedule, with all work completed while maintaining uninterrupted service to the city’s water system. Safety challenges were mitigated through careful planning and coordination with union representatives. For example, the limited space at the front of specialized filter canisters required special plumbing expertise to sequence the installation of pipes, valves, and brackets. Comprehensive work planning in collaboration with business leaders ensured that this and other critical tasks were carried out safely and efficiently. By the end of the project, the team had logged nearly 30,000 hours of work with no recordable injuries or incidents.
The project also sought to minimize disturbance to surrounding homes, demonstrating a strong commitment to community impact and communication. When supply chain issues complicated the acquisition of the main electrical gear, the city and the project team collaborated closely to identify alternative solutions and resequence work activities.
