We’re proud to announce that the Town of Gilbert (AZ) North Water Treatment Plant South Reservoir Water Quality Improvements Project has been named the national winner of the 2025 CMAA Project Achievement Award in the category Water/Wastewater/Utility: Construction Value Less Than $50 Million.
About the Award
Presented by the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), this prestigious award recognizes projects that exemplify excellence and innovation in construction and program management. CMAA represents more than 25,000 professionals across public and private sectors, all dedicated to improving infrastructure through collaboration and technical leadership.
About the Project
This award-winning project tackled critical water quality challenges for the Town of Gilbert. Key improvements included:
- Installation of 35 floating aeration units and seven headspace blowers across the North and South Reservoirs.
- Major electrical upgrades to support the new aeration systems, including replacement of 18 switchgear breakers and installation of new motor control centers (MCCs).
- Coordination with a concurrent $600M plant expansion project, ensuring seamless integration and avoiding delays.
- Implementation of confined space safety protocols, advanced scheduling tools, and construction methods to maintain operations and prioritize worker safety.
Despite challenges such as cost escalations and tight seasonal construction windows, the project was delivered through Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR) collaborative project delivery—completed on time, under budget, and with zero recordable safety incidents. Strategic pre-construction planning and cost management returned over $1 million to the Town of Gilbert.
Celebrating the Team
Congratulations to Project Manager Jon Westervelt, PE, CCM and Construction Manager Sarah Poppy, CCM, who attended the CMAA National Conference in Nashville to accept this award on behalf of Kennedy Jenks and the Town of Gilbert, and to the entire KJ team on this project! This recognition highlights the dedication and expertise of our Phoenix staff and everyone who contributed to this outstanding achievement.
About Kennedy Jenks
Kennedy Jenks is a leading water and environmental engineering and environmental sciences firm that serves public agencies and private-sector clients with over 500 employees nationwide. The employee-owned firm delivers innovative design, construction, and technology solutions for water and environmental projects across the United States.
Media Contact
For more information about Kennedy Jenks, please contact media@kennedyjenks.com.
The information on this page was accurate at the time of publication.
