Thalle Construction is delivering a major share of the Sanford Water Filtration Facility (SWFF) Expansion, a regional partnership designed to provide reliable, high-quality drinking water for Sanford, Fuquay-Varina, and Holly Springs for decades to come.

The expansion increases treatment capacity from 12 million gallons per day (MGD) to 30 MGD. Sanford will manage the expanded plant and retain operational authority. Ownership of the added capacity is allocated 8 MGD to Sanford, 6 MGD to Fuquay-Varina, and 4 MGD to Holly Springs. The program comprises four construction contracts totaling $390.67 million. Thalle’s construction scope is valued at $237.51 million.

Thalle is responsible for earthwork, yard piping, and process mechanical piping and equipment inside an active, operating water treatment facility. That work must be sequenced with concurrent contracts so existing treatment remains in service while new capacity is built.

A central process improvement is granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration, which strengthens removal of contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and supports long-term water-quality goals for the region.

The project’s technical demand is high: large-diameter piping, process equipment, and electrical and mechanical systems installed in a live plant, with weather, testing, and multi-contractor coordination all factored into planning. Thalle’s role is to execute that work safely, in close coordination with the Engineer of Record and partner contractors, and to deliver the conventional treatment and sitework that make the 30 MGD facility possible.

Scheduled completion is January 11, 2029.