Construction has begun on the Bull Run Filtration Facility in Portland, Oregon, and Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, is providing engineering services during construction of the facility. Construction started following Portland City Council approval of the project’s construction contract. This transformative initiative aims to enhance the water system’s resilience, reduce future risks, and better protect customers.
The filtration facility and related pipelines will allow the City to meet regulatory requirements to remove Cryptosporidium from the Bull Run drinking water. The project will also help improve the water system’s resilience by reducing the impacts from fires, landslides, and other extreme events that have become more frequent with climate stress. The 135-million-gallon-per-day facility will be online in 2027 and will meet projected customer drinking water demands well into the future.
“Reaching this milestone for this vital project brings us closer to ensuring the Bull Run water supply continues to be a clean, reliable drinking water source for customers throughout the region,” said Mark Graham, Stantec senior principal. “Our team is looking forward to our continued involvement in the project. It’s rewarding to collaborate with talented local firms and such a long-time client.”
Stantec, in association with Carollo Engineers and other firms, has provided the Portland Water Bureau (PWB) with design services for the Bull Run Filtration Facility since 2019. The project also includes a collaboration with PWB and a program management/support services consultant to integrate the new facility into the existing infrastructure. A joint venture of MWH Constructors and Kiewit Corp is constructing the facility.
Along with assistance during construction, Stantec’s design contract includes design, geotechnical site investigation, design quality management, construction manager/general contractor collaboration, assistance during commissioning, operations support, and project management for the filtration facility design.
“This facility will safeguard our water supply and it supports the City’s commitment to sustainable water management,” said David Peters, PWB Bull Run treatment program director. “We’re grateful for Stantec’s expertise in helping to provide our customers with consistent, high-quality drinking water for generations to come.”
The Stantec team allocated 23 percent of the design budget to engage several Disadvantaged, Minority-Owned, Women-Owned, and Emerging Small Businesses in this project. The facility must serve filtered water by 2027 as part of the bilateral compliance agreement with the Oregon Health Authority.
Stantec has planned, designed, or optimized many large-scale water treatment projects in the Pacific Northwest, including serving as project manager for the Willamette Water Supply Program. Learn more about water treatment at Stantec.
