The Post Falls City Council unanimously approved a $3.1 million agreement with Apollo Inc. on Tuesday to upgrade the city’s water reclamation facility. The vote authorizes immediate construction on the first phase of a larger infrastructure improvement plan for the North Idaho community.
Project 1 Construction Begins in October
Construction for Project 1 is scheduled to start in October at the reclamation center located at 2002 W. Seltice Way. The initial phase involves installing a new dewatering unit, a critical component for processing wastewater. City officials confirmed that J-U-B Engineers completed the design work earlier this year, with the council approving the plans in July 2025.
The city will pay $2.3 million for Project 1 under a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) agreement. This contract structure caps the cost, protecting taxpayers from unexpected overruns while ensuring the contractor covers any expenses that exceed the limit. Officials estimate the first phase will be completed by July 2027.
Shift in Procurement Strategy
For this project, Post Falls utilized a Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) delivery method rather than its traditional Design-Bid-Build approach. The CMGC model allows the city to engage the contractor earlier in the process, potentially streamlining construction and reducing delays.
Councilman Marc Lucca voiced concerns about the financial implications of this strategy during the meeting. He noted that GMP contracts often include a premium for risk management.
“Anytime there is a GMP contract, there is risk that’s priced into that, that, much like the insurance business, is unlikely to happen,” Lucca said.
Future Expansion Plans
The approved agreement represents only the first step in a broader modernization effort. Project 2, which encompasses a larger scope of upgrades to the facility, is projected to cost approximately $40 million. City leaders expect to bring the second phase before the council for consideration next year.
Andrew Albini highlighted the progress made on the infrastructure timeline. “It’s somewhat remarkable how much we accomplished on this project in the past year,” Albini said.
Water infrastructure remains a priority for Kootenai County municipalities as regional demand continues to evolve. While North Idaho aquifer levels remain stable, maintaining treatment capacity is essential for long-term reliability. The Post Falls project aligns with other local infrastructure efforts, such as ongoing I-90 bridge repairs near Coeur d’Alene, reflecting a broader focus on updating public assets across the Panhandle.