Permitting and Regulatory Approvals - Design-Build for Water and Wastewater Projects - page 271

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Permitting and
Regulatory Approvals
Douglas E. Lisak, DBIA, HDR Constructors Inc.
INTRODUCTION
Design-build delivery bundles design and construction services under a single contract
with the owner, and this makes the project simpler and more efficient. This methodology
invites earlier and more intense collaboration between the owner and the design-builder,
which saves time by completing design, estimating, permitting, and construction simulta-
neously (Worth et al. 2009).
Because the successful implementation of a water or wastewater DB project heavily
depends on avoiding schedule delays, minimizing the potential hurdles posed by permit-
ting and regulatory approvals is critical. While regulations and permit requirements vary
widely based on state, regional, and local agencies, there are common planning steps to
successfully obtain permitting agency and regulatory approvals prior to, or while imple-
menting, a project.
The types of permits and regulatory approvals needed for a DB project are identical
to those for a traditional DBB project. Common permits for water and wastewater projects
in the United States are stated in the following list:
• NPDES—federal and local
• Health department
• Water quality control board
• Air quality management district
• Fire authority
• US Environmental Protection Agency
• US Army Corp of Engineers
• Building department
• Utilities
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