Each year, the Central Florida Chapter of the American Builders and Contractors (ABC) recognizes and celebrates outstanding projects built by its members. The chapter’s highest recognition is the Eagle Award.

This year, Orlando Water won an Eagle Award for the Polk County Central Regional Water Reclamation Facility. On Oct. 17, team members were honored at ABC’s annual awards banquet at the Omni Orlando Resort.

Congratulations to the following team members: Drew Gumieny, Forest Anderson, Daniel Dodd, Carlin Dunlop, Jorge Briones, Justin White, and Francine Guillemette.

The $19.2 million project was for Polk County Utilities, the largest provider of water services within Polk County. Prior to the construction of this new plant, residents had to obtain their potable water from private wells or a variety of “packaged plants.” The overall goal for the new plant was to centralize the route and treatment of potable water for the County. That goal was successfully accomplished by providing a plant that produces up to four million gallons per day of water that is treated through an ozone and granulated activated carbon, which significantly improves the taste and odor of the well water.

Polk County was ambitious with their first ozone water treatment plant and wanted to be able to produce the best tasting water in Florida. In March of 2020, Polk County was awarded the “Best Tasting Drinking Water” in a water contest held by the American Water Works Association. They now plan to enter their tap water into the state competition.

“The Wharton-Smith project team is proud to be a part of this award-winning plant. A lot of effort was put forth in evaluating constructability during the preconstruction phase, conducting the GMP, and executing the work. Through our collective efforts on this project, great relationships with the owner were developed, which have paved the way to current and future negotiated CMAR work,” said Drew Gumieny, Senior Project Manager.