Integrated program management to deliver a resilient water supply to meet current and future water demands over the next 50+ years

Willamette Water Supply Program

Population size and water needs in Washington County, Oregon, are expected to double in the next 50 years, with new supply capacity needed as early as 2026. As current water supplies aren’t expected to withstand a natural disaster, it’s critical to install a seismically resilient supply for the region’s residents and internationally important businesses.

Project partners Tualatin Valley Water District, City of Hillsboro, and City of Beaverton selected us to form an integrated client and consultant program team to manage the planning, design, and construction of the Willamette Water Supply Program (WWSP). The WWSP will add capacity to an existing river intake and raw water pump station, construct a new water treatment plant and finished water pump station, and deliver water through new, large-diameter water transmission pipelines and terminal reservoir storage. Our team completed a five-month mobilization effort and implemented early action projects in parallel with mobilization. As projects move into the construction phase, we’re using a programmatic construction management approach for consistency and adherence to standard operating procedures.

Our North American Funding Program assisted the WWSP partners in securing nearly $640 million of Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) funding The loan application and closing process was recognized as top-quality and use of WIFIA funds was estimated to save hundreds of millions in financing costs. We continue to provide the necessary compliance reporting to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

By cooperatively delivering the WWSP, the partners can jointly fund and share installation costs for this critical infrastructure, which will ultimately supply the community with a resilient source of high-quality drinking water.