Stantec-designed Bull Run Filtration Facility recognized with an Envision Platinum Award

The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure has recognized Portland Water Bureau with an Envision Platinum Award for the Bull Run Filtration Facility. The award celebrates sustainable infrastructure projects that go above and beyond to support social, economic, and environmental improvements in the community. Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, supported the facility’s design and is now providing engineering services during construction.

The new facility will supply nearly a quarter of Oregon’s population with safe, reliable drinking water. Designed to filter 135 million gallons of water per day (mgd), with the flexibility to expand to 220 mgd, the facility incorporates advanced water treatment technologies that remove disease-causing organisms and strengthen system resilience in the face of natural disasters. Construction is underway with plans to start delivering water by 2029.

To achieve an Envision Platinum Award, facilities must meet criteria established by the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework. It is comprised of 64 sustainability and resiliency indicators, which are organized within five categories: Quality of Life, Leadership, Resource Allocation, Natural World, and Climate and Resilience. Together, the categories and credits address materials, energy, conservation, community development, planning, collaboration, human wellbeing, mobility, and more.

“We are proud to be a part of this transformative project and the collaborative team that addressed environmental, social, and economic needs,” said Mark Graham, vice president at Stantec. “In addition to securing a reliable water supply for the region, the Bull Run Filtration Facility establishes a new standard for sustainability in design and construction of water treatment infrastructure.”

Several sustainable technologies have been incorporated into the facility’s design, including zero-liquid discharge, which recycles all process water back into the treatment system and converts it to potable water. The selected facility location also allows for gravity-fed water conveyance from the Bull Run Watershed, improving reliability and significantly reducing energy use compared to pumped systems. Additionally, Portland Water Bureau dedicates 1 percent of the project’s construction costs to the “Community Opportunities and Enhancement Program,” which provides technical training, career coaching, and apprenticeships to address local skill gaps.

“Projects like filtration are critical investments in the livability, health, safety, and prosperity of our city. Great care and vision go into designing these projects with future generations in mind,” said Portland mayor Keith Wilson. “The Envision Platinum Award demonstrates the City of Portland’s commitment to building a facility that delivers clean, safe, reliable drinking water while also strengthening environmental resilience and sustainability.”

“Congratulations to the Portland Water Bureau and the entire project team on achieving Envision Platinum for the Bull Run Filtration Facility,” said Kailey Eldredge, verification director at the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure. “This recognition reflects an exceptional commitment to sustainability, resilience, and community wellbeing. The team’s dedication to thoughtful planning, innovative design, and responsible resource stewardship sets a powerful example for how critical infrastructure can enhance public health while protecting natural systems for generations to come.”

Supporting Pacific Northwest communities
Stantec has worked with many communities across the Pacific Northwest to manage large-scale water conveyance and infrastructure programs. In Washington County, Oregon, Stantec is delivering integrated planning, design, and construction management for the Willamette Water Supply Program, a US$1.6 billion program that will deliver a scalable, secure water system to meet long-term demand.

In 2025, Stantec was selected to support the Cascade Supply Program (CSP), a large-scale infrastructure initiative to diversify and regionalize drinking water supplies for the Cascade Water Alliance in Bellevue, Washington. Stantec is overseeing program management, planning, and preliminary design for the CSP.

Learn more about Stantec’s water conveyance capabilities. 

About Stantec
Stantec empowers clients, people, and communities to rise to the world’s greatest challenges at a time when the world faces more unprecedented concerns than ever before.   

We are a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. ​Our professionals deliver the expertise, technology, and innovation communities need to manage aging infrastructure, demographic and population changes, the energy transition, and more. ​

Today’s communities transcend geographic borders. At Stantec, community means everyone with an interest in the work that we do—from our project teams and industry colleagues to our clients and the people our work impacts. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure.  ​

We are designers, engineers, scientists, project managers, and strategic advisors. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.​

Stantec trades on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol STN. 

Media Contact
Katie Lawler
Stantec Media Relations
Ph: (425) 301-1866
katie.lawler@stantec.com