Water and wastewater infrastructure represents a stable, growing segment of public construction. These projects—from treatment plants to distribution systems—require specialized knowledge and careful bidding approaches. Understanding the unique requirements of water/wastewater work positions contractors for success in this essential market.
Water/Wastewater Project Categories
The water sector encompasses diverse project types with varying complexity.
Treatment Facilities
Water treatment plants:
- Source water intake structures
- Chemical treatment systems
- Filtration and membrane systems
- Disinfection facilities
- Clearwell and storage
- Administrative and lab buildings
Wastewater treatment plants:
- Headworks and screening
- Primary and secondary treatment
- Tertiary treatment and filtration
- Solids handling and digestion
- Disinfection systems
- Effluent discharge structures
Conveyance Systems
Water distribution:
- Transmission mains (large diameter)
- Distribution mains
- Service connections
- Pressure reducing/sustaining stations
- Water storage tanks and reservoirs
Wastewater collection:
- Gravity sewers
- Force mains
- Lift/pump stations
- Manholes and structures
- Trenchless installations
Specialty Structures
- Pump stations
- Elevated storage tanks
- Ground storage reservoirs
- Chemical feed buildings
- Electrical/control buildings
- Emergency generators
Understanding Water/Wastewater Specifications
These projects have extensive technical specifications requiring careful review.
Key Specification Divisions
Division 01 - General Requirements:
- Startup and commissioning procedures
- Operations training requirements
- Spare parts and O&M manual requirements
- SCADA integration protocols
Division 31 - Earthwork:
- Trench excavation and backfill
- Dewatering requirements
- Soil compaction testing
- Sheeting and shoring
Division 33 - Utilities:
- Pipe materials and installation
- Joint restraint requirements
- Testing and disinfection
- Connection to existing systems
Divisions 40-46 - Process Equipment:
- Pumps and motors
- Valves and actuators
- Process piping
- Treatment equipment
Equipment Specifications
Water/wastewater projects are equipment-intensive:
- Review equipment schedules carefully
- Verify sole-source vs. competitive items
- Check submittal requirements
- Note startup and training provisions
- Identify warranty requirements
Estimating Water/Wastewater Projects
Accurate estimates require understanding the unique cost drivers.
Earthwork and Excavation
Pipeline installation factors: | Depth | Production Factor | |-------|------------------| | 0-6 ft | 1.0 (base) | | 6-10 ft | 1.15 | | 10-15 ft | 1.35 | | 15-20 ft | 1.60 | | 20+ ft | 1.90+ |
Soil condition adjustments:
- Rock excavation: 2.0-4.0x base cost
- High groundwater: Add dewatering costs
- Contaminated soil: Special handling required
- Existing utilities: Potholing and relocation
Pipe Material Costs
Common pipe materials and considerations:
- Ductile iron: Standard for water mains, moderate cost
- PVC/HDPE: Lower cost, limited applications
- Concrete cylinder pipe: Large diameter transmission
- Fiberglass (FRP): Corrosive environments
- Stainless steel: Process piping applications
Include costs for:
- Pipe and fittings
- Joint restraints and thrust blocks
- Bedding and backfill materials
- Testing and disinfection
Equipment Installation
Treatment facility equipment requires:
- Specialized rigging and setting
- Mechanical installation labor
- Electrical and controls work
- Startup and commissioning
- Training and documentation
Factor in manufacturer representative time for equipment startup supervision.
Managing Project Risks
Water/wastewater projects carry specific risks that affect bidding.
Site Condition Risks
Geotechnical concerns:
- Groundwater levels and dewatering needs
- Rock and difficult excavation
- Unstable soils and shoring requirements
- Contamination from previous land uses
Request and review:
- Geotechnical reports
- Environmental assessments
- Existing utility records
- Survey and topographic data
Existing Facility Risks
Many projects involve work at operating facilities:
- Maintaining operations during construction
- Bypass pumping requirements
- Scheduled shutdowns and tie-ins
- Odor and nuisance control
- Safety around hazardous atmospheres
Schedule Risks
Common schedule challenges:
- Equipment lead times (pumps, valves, instruments)
- Permit delays (environmental, agency)
- Weather impacts on earthwork
- Coordination with facility operations
- Testing and commissioning duration
Compliance Requirements
Water/wastewater projects have extensive regulatory requirements.
Environmental Compliance
Construction permits:
- NPDES stormwater permits
- Dewatering discharge permits
- Air quality permits (for certain operations)
- Wetland and stream crossing permits
Environmental protection:
- Erosion and sediment control
- Spill prevention and response
- Noise and vibration limits
- Tree and habitat protection
Health and Safety
Confined space entry:
- Manholes and vaults
- Tanks and basins
- Pipeline work
- Permit-required entry programs
Hazardous atmospheres:
- Hydrogen sulfide exposure
- Oxygen deficiency
- Methane accumulation
- Chemical handling
Include safety equipment and training costs in your bid.
Regulatory Agency Requirements
- State drinking water agency approval
- EPA discharge permit compliance
- State environmental agency oversight
- Local health department requirements
Bidding Strategies for Water/Wastewater
Develop approaches specific to this market segment.
Public Bidding Considerations
Most water/wastewater work is publicly bid:
- Competitive sealed bidding
- Lowest responsible bidder selection
- Detailed specification compliance
- Bid bond and performance bond requirements
Building Agency Relationships
Water utilities and municipalities value:
- Experience with similar facilities
- Local presence and responsiveness
- Track record of successful projects
- Understanding of utility operations
Qualification Requirements
Many projects require prequalification:
- Financial capacity documentation
- Experience with similar project types
- Key personnel qualifications
- Safety record (EMR requirements)
- Bonding capacity verification
Subcontractor Coordination
Water/wastewater projects require specialized subcontractors.
Key Specialty Contractors
Mechanical/process:
- Equipment installation
- Process piping
- HVAC systems
- Plumbing
Electrical/instrumentation:
- Power distribution
- Motor controls
- Instrumentation and controls
- SCADA systems
Specialty trades:
- Concrete and structural
- Coatings and linings
- Fencing and site work
- Landscaping and restoration
Subcontractor Evaluation
For water/wastewater work, verify:
- Experience at operating facilities
- Understanding of utility operations
- Confined space and safety capabilities
- Availability for startup support
- Warranty service capabilities
Equipment Procurement
Equipment selection and procurement significantly impacts bids.
Evaluating Equipment Options
When specs allow alternatives:
- Compare lifecycle costs (energy, maintenance)
- Verify local service availability
- Check spare parts compatibility with owner's existing equipment
- Assess delivery schedules
- Review warranty terms
Working with Equipment Vendors
During bidding:
- Request budgetary pricing early
- Get firm quotes before bid day
- Clarify scope of supply
- Verify delivery schedules
- Confirm startup support
Equipment categories to quote:
- Pumps and motors
- Blowers and compressors
- Valves and actuators
- Instrumentation
- Chemical feed systems
- Electrical equipment
Startup and Commissioning
Water/wastewater projects have extensive startup requirements.
Planning for Commissioning
Include costs for:
- Pre-startup testing
- Equipment commissioning
- Process startup
- Performance testing
- Operator training
Coordination with Operations
- Schedule startup activities with owner
- Plan for facility operational constraints
- Coordinate with regulatory inspections
- Document as-built conditions
- Provide O&M documentation
Pricing and Markup Considerations
Determine appropriate pricing for water/wastewater work.
Cost Structure
Typical cost distribution:
- Earthwork/site: 15-25%
- Concrete/structural: 15-20%
- Mechanical/process: 25-35%
- Electrical/I&C: 15-20%
- General conditions: 8-12%
Markup Factors
Consider when setting markup:
- Project complexity and risk
- Competition level in market
- Owner's budget constraints
- Schedule pressure
- Experience with project type
Contingency Considerations
Include contingency for:
- Unknown soil conditions
- Existing utility conflicts
- Facility operational issues
- Equipment delivery delays
- Permit and inspection delays
Technology in Water/Wastewater Bidding
Leverage technology for competitive advantage.
Estimating Software
Specialized tools:
- Civil 3D for pipeline design
- Pipe estimating software
- Equipment pricing databases
- GPS machine control takeoffs
Document Management
Water/wastewater bid packages are extensive:
- Organize by specification section
- Track equipment submittals
- Manage vendor quote correspondence
- Document RFI responses
ConstructionBids.ai provides early notification of water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Track treatment plants, pipeline projects, and pump stations from planning through bid advertisement.
