Queen City Clean Waters

Our team will oversee and advance capital design and construction projects throughout the City of Buffalo’s combined sewer collection (CSO) system, including CSO storage, real-time control smart sewers, sewer improvements and modifications, as well as their Bird Island Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF). At an estimated 50+ sites at $1B over more than a decade, TYLin’s will be responsible for the preliminary design and planning phases, including application for financing through various state, federal, and private grant and loan programs, and oversight of compliance and assurance of delivery of projects.

As part of the QCCW mission to achieve an equitable water future, TYLin will implement a robust community engagement plan and develop a Community Benefits Program, both as a vehicle to operationalize equity through the Authority’s impact and create generational economic wealth opportunities for its communities through intentional partnerships and collaboration. BSA is committed to better serve and foster partnerships within local communities, build a water workforce pipeline to support BSA and the City of Buffalo’s core services, and ensure the people of the City of Buffalo experience the benefits, especially residents and businesses most impacted by the disruptions inherent in large construction projects. All community benefits will support nonprofit, charitable, local schools, parks, community services, and/or related activities.

Quick Facts:

• Mission – To create a healthier, more resilient, and equitable Buffalo by modernizing water infrastructure, improving water quality, and enhancing the quality of life for all Buffalo residents.
• Why it matters – QCCW will reduce overflows from the City’s sewers by helping flow reach the wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) during wet weather, instead of entering Buffalo’s creeks and river, thus improving water quality and public health. The program will foster partnerships within Buffalo’s local communities and ensure residents experience public benefits including workforce opportunities for generational wealth creation.
• What we did – QCCW projects include a mix of in-line storage (ILS), off-line storage (OLS), real time control (RTC), and green infrastructure (GI). Additionally, a Community Benefits Program and a Stakeholder Advisory Committee is being established to better serve and foster partnerships and deliver multiple benefits within our local communities.
• What we learned – By partnering with local DBE/MBE/WBE firms and emphasizing the involvement of Buffalo's residents and historically excluded groups, QCCW will foster a culture of participation and multiple benefits that resonates beyond project completion and deliver lasting positive impacts and create community wealth opportunities.
• By the numbers – The implementation of BSA Queen City Clean Waters includes 50+ sites in total and will cost approximately $1B over the next 15 years including $250M+ in treatment facility upgrades.