September 2025
Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility Expansion Wins DBIA National Design-Build Project/Team Merit Award
Roswell, Georgia - The Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility Expansion has been honored with a 2025 National Design-Build Project/Team Merit Award from the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) in the Water/Wastewater category.
The award recognizes projects that exemplify technical excellence, collaboration, and innovation, embodying the principles of Design-Build Done Right®. Nearly 80 projects were submitted nationwide, with winners selected by a panel of industry experts across 10 categories.
“The DBIA Project/Team Awards are more than recognition of a single success. They represent where the industry is heading,” said Lisa Washington, CAE, DBIA Executive Director/CEO. “These projects and teams demonstrate that design-build’s collaborative mindset creates a ripple effect of better outcomes for Owners and teams, stronger communities and a new standard of innovation for the built environment.”
A Landmark Project for Fulton County
Located west of the Chattahoochee River in Roswell, Georgia, the Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility is the largest wastewater treatment facility in North Fulton County. Its recent $350 million expansion, the largest infrastructure investment in Fulton County’s history, was delivered through a progressive design-build partnership between Archer Western and Brown & Caldwell.
The project increased treatment capacity from 24 to 32 million gallons per day (MGD) while incorporating state-of-the-art flat-membrane technology. This advancement makes Big Creek the second-largest flat-membrane treatment facility in the United States, ensuring the highest standards of water quality and environmental stewardship for generations to come.
Key features of the expansion include:
• New liquids process with Headworks, coarse and fine screening, grit removal, primary clarification, and advanced biological nutrient removal.
• UV disinfection and ultrafiltration membranes capable of filtering particles greater than 0.04 µm.
• Resiliency measures such as backup generators for uninterrupted operations.
• Sustainable construction practices, including recycling nearly all 200,000 cubic yards of excavated material to minimize environmental impact.
Collaboration at the Core
The progressive design-build approach fostered collaboration between Fulton County, Archer Western, and Brown & Caldwell from the outset.
“Since day one, Fulton County and the Archer Western / Brown and Caldwell team have always focused on what was best for the overall project,” said David Walker, Vice President of Archer Western. “This team overcame challenges, remained engaged at every level, and ultimately delivered a high-quality facility that will serve the community for the next 50 years and beyond.”
Over 250 local craft workers contributed more than 1.3 million safe work hours, all while keeping the existing plant fully operational throughout construction.
Meeting Community Needs for the Next 50 Years
The expansion positions the Big Creek facility to support continued growth in North Fulton County while ensuring environmental sustainability. With the ability to expand up to 38 MGD in the future, the facility is built with foresight and flexibility, safeguarding water resources for decades to come.