The American Water Works Association (AWWA) has published a new book to provide utility managers, operators and water quality staff, city officials and others with a thorough understanding of when design-build (DB) project delivery is a good choice for a water or wastewater utility. It also outlines how to plan, procure and execute a DB project. Black & Veatch Senior Water Process Engineering Manager Holly Shorney-Darby, Ph.D., P.E., managed and edited the organization?s new book, Design-Build for Water and Wastewater Projects.
On a global basis, expanded-scope delivery models like design-build are becoming the dominant method for water infrastructure projects. The DB approach to a capital project offers owners attractive benefits. These include single-source responsibility for design and construction, shorter project duration, fewer change orders, lower costs, better budget control, more clearly defined warranty and performance responsibilities and reduced claims and disputes.
According to Shorney-Darby, the book is especially helpful for understanding how delivery differences impact preliminary project planning. In addition it explains how utility management and operations staff can make organizational and operational changes for better DB project performance. Other topics include design and construction tasks, permitting and regulatory agency approvals and schedule development.?
Filled with case studies, the 350-page book discusses DB variations ? including construction management at risk, design-build-operate, design-build-finance and alliance contracting ? and offers the top 10 strategies for achieving DB project success.
Design-Build for Water and Wastewater Projects is available in the AWWA bookstore. Review copies are available to media by request through AWWA?s Office of Public Affairs.
