Celebrating Drinking Water Week  

During Drinking Water Week (May 4–10), ISI recognizes the paramount importance of ensuring universal access to safe and reliable drinking water and the work of water professionals in supporting that effort. We would like to take this opportunity to highlight the following Envision-awarded projects that furthered the goals of sustainable water infrastructure in cities and communities from coast to coast. 

The City of Santa Monica Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (Envision Platinum, 2024) in Santa Monica, California is an advanced treatment water recycling plant that treats the city’s municipal wastewater, stormwater (wet-weather), and urban runoff (dry-weather) with the new stormwater harvesting tank. The project reduces the city’s traditional reliance on costly imported freshwater resources from Northern California and the Colorado River by creating new, local water supplies. 

The Clearwell 9 Replacement Project in Evanston, Illinois (Envision Verified, 2022) included the replacement of a five-million gallon treated water storage reservoir with a new similarly sized facility, a new overflow, a new submersible pumping system, and site piping modifications. An existing parking lot was transformed into new green space for bikers and walkers as part of the project, allowing them to enjoy the view of Lake Michigan and providing better access to the beach. 

Denver Water’s Northwater Treatment Plant in Denver, Colorado (Envision Gold, 2020) is a 75-million gallon per day state-of-the-art facility supplementing Denver Water’s Moffat Water Treatment Plant. The project makes it possible to extend Moffat’s useful life for two more decades while giving additional operational flexibility to Denver Water, with four drinking water treatment plants instead of three. 

The Ion Exchange Resin Plant and East Water Treatment Plant Improvements Project (Envision Bronze, 2017) located in Boynton Beach, Florida involved upgrades to an existing plant. The project met the community’s need to diversify water sources to reduce dependence on the surficial aquifer. This project also focused on protecting the local environment and drinking water supply by avoiding saltwater intrusion. 

The Line J Section 1 Pipeline Project located in Tarrant, Texas and led by Tarrant Regional Water District (Envision Silver, 2014) was a two-mile, 108-inch diameter pipeline built to deliver water from the Kennedale Balancing Reservoir directly to the Arlington Outlet. The project improved the net quality of life for many of the communities served by the water district by increasing their ability to transfer raw water to 1.9 million users. This infrastructure owner also undertook the Integrated Pipeline Project (Envision Platinum, 2016), a 150-mile long water transmission system built by two North Texas water suppliers to help meet water demands in rapidly growing Tarrant, Dallas and surrounding counties. 

The Saco River Water Treatment Plant in Biddeford, Maine (Envision Silver, 2022) treats and filters water from the Saco River so that 40,000 people in Biddeford as well as two nearby communities have a reliable supply of high-quality drinking water. Sustainability achievements included wetland restoration and protection of groundwater resources, an emphasis on flood-resilience, and new onsite power generation through a photovoltaic solar array. 

The Seneca Water Treatment Plant Improvements Project (Envision Silver, 2017) in Seneca, South Carolina focused on upgrades to a vital facility to improve efficiency and safety for plant employees and the surrounding community. Sustainability achievements included measures to reduce operational noise, aesthetic features to preserve the local character of the community, and improvements to the safety of the facility for workers and residents in the area.  

Tualatin Valley Water District’s (TVWD) Ridgewood View Park Reservoir and Pump Station in Tualatin Valley, Oregon (Envision Gold, 2016) was the first joint water storage reservoir and park facility to receive an Envision award from ISI . The project included 6,700 feet of new water pipelines and extensive improvements to Ridgewood View Park. 

Vivion Transmission Main – Chouteau to Brighton in Kansas City, Missouri (Envision Bronze, 2019) involved construction of a 10,000-foot 36-inch water transmission main through city park property. The pipeline was designed and built to align with a future recreational trail of the KCMO Parks & Recreation Department and the Public Works Department.  

Find all water related projects in our Project Awards Directory.