Blacks Ford Water Reclamation Facility Expansion

Ardurra is leading the CMAR delivery of the Blacks Ford Water Reclamation Facility expansion for JEA in Jacksonville, Florida, doubling the plant's treatment capacity from 6.0 to 12.0 MGD while keeping the facility fully operational throughout construction. After working closely with JEA and the CMAR, Ardurra advanced a design focused on nutrient removal, process optimization, and constructability, delivering measurable cost savings at every phase.

Process evaluations drove significant capital savings. A grit study found only 2 percent accumulation in the BNR basins, eliminating the need for grit removal equipment and saving over $5 million. The biological process is being expanded with two new 5-stage Bardenpho BNR trains, increasing nutrient removal reliability and capacity. To support CMAR price competition and schedule, the team approved multiple structural approaches for the basins, enabling flexible, cost-competitive bidding.

Secondary treatment improvements include three new 110-foot clarifiers integrated with existing units. Scum wetwells were replaced with hard-piped diaphragm pumps, improving reliability and reducing maintenance costs by over $500,000. Tertiary treatment enhancements added cloth disk filters and an alternate manufacturer, eliminating the need for a crane canopy and reducing both capital cost and long-term maintenance.

Phased design strategies further reduced upfront investment. The new UV facility is sized for 30 MGD but allows incremental module installation as flows increase. For reclaimed water, the team developed interim onsite storage and pumping systems that can be repurposed or relocated as the program matures. A modification to the 28-day SRT requirement for biosolids storage deferred unnecessary tankage, resulting in over $10 million in total cost savings.

Key Highlights:

• Grit study findings eliminated the need for grit removal from the design, saving JEA over $5 million in capital costs without compromising treatment performance.

• Flexible BNR basin structural options enabled competitive CMAR bidding and accelerated the construction schedule.

• Replacing scum wetwells with hard-piped diaphragm pumps improved operational reliability and reduced maintenance costs by over $500,000.

• Phased UV and reclaimed water system design deferred unnecessary capital investment while preserving long-term operational flexibility.

• Collaboration with JEA on biosolids storage requirements resulted in over $10 million in total project cost savings.

Ardurra's CMAR delivery approach and process-driven design solutions are helping JEA double the capacity of the Blacks Ford WRF while keeping service to the Jacksonville community uninterrupted. By challenging assumptions at each design phase, the team has identified over $15 million in capital and operational savings without compromising performance or permit compliance. The project positions JEA with a modern, flexible facility built to serve regional growth for decades.