Greensboro Approves Contracts for Mitchell Plant Upgrades to Address Emerging Contaminants

Greensboro City Council approved a package of ordinances and contract amendments at its January 20, 2026 meeting to move major upgrades at the Mitchell Water Treatment Plant into procurement and early construction phases. The measures authorize construction contracts and change orders for design and construction services and redirect funding to allow the project to proceed from design to active work.

The actions approved by council include authorizations tied to firms referenced in the meeting discussion: Haskell and HDR were named for construction services and resident project representation, respectively. Council members discussed the scale and cost of the work and the technical need to respond to emerging contaminants of concern in drinking-water treatment. With the votes, staff may execute the next administrative steps needed to secure and manage contracts and the resident-engagement services that will oversee construction on behalf of the city.

Mitchell is a primary treatment facility for Greensboro’s drinking water system, and the approved contracts are intended to adapt its processes to address contaminants that regulators and water engineers now list as emerging concerns. City leaders framed the project as proactive work to safeguard the quality of tap water for Guilford County customers served by the plant, while acknowledging the complexity and expense of retrofitting a large treatment facility to new treatment standards.

Council discussion emphasized oversight and transparency as the project transitions from design to construction. Resident project representation, identified in the meeting as a role for HDR, will provide on-the-ground monitoring of construction activities and a point of contact for community interests. Haskell’s involvement was discussed in the context of construction services and change orders that will shape scheduling and contractor coordination during the early phases of work.

For local residents, the approvals mean the Mitchell upgrades are moving from planning into tangible work that could change construction activity near the plant and require careful project management to avoid service disruptions. The council vote also initiates the city’s procurement obligations and oversight responsibilities that will determine how quickly the work proceeds and how costs are managed.

Next steps include formal execution of the approved contracts, issuance of procurement notices and the handoff between design teams and construction contractors. Residents should follow City Council agendas and city communications for schedules, public outreach sessions and notices about any service impacts as the Mitchell project advances.