The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) report gave drinking water infrastructure in the United States a grade of C- due to aging systems, including the estimated nine million lead water pipes still in use. The presence of emerging contaminants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals,” was also listed as a concern. 

Wastewater infrastructure graded even lower with a D+, largely due to the age of the nearly 17,500 treatment plants operating nationwide. The average wastewater treatment facility in the United States was built in the early 1980s. With most designed to have a lifespan of 40 to 50 years, many facilities are reaching or have already surpassed their expected operational life. Over the next 20 years, it's estimated that more than $1 trillion will be needed to modernize these water and wastewater systems.

“I interact with a lot of municipal clients who are deeply committed to doing the right thing and want to ensure their communities have the water they need, but navigating that path is complex and costly,” says Ankur Talwar, district manager of PCL’s Civil Infrastructure Division in the western United States. “This isn’t a want, it’s a fundamental need. Access to clean, safe water is essential for life, and municipalities need trusted partners to help make it a reality.”

Addressing the nation’s water infrastructure challenges calls for long-term, climate-resilient solutions that ensure water security for future generations. One solution is the advancement of wastewater reuse facilities, including both direct potable reuse (DPR) and indirect potable reuse (IPR) systems.

In IPR, treated wastewater is released into natural environmental buffers — such as rivers, lakes or aquifers — where it becomes part of the water cycle before being captured and treated again for safe, potable use. PCL is currently in the preconstruction phase of an IPR facility in Boise, Idaho, designed to treat industrial wastewater and store it underground for future treatment and distribution. IPR systems have already proven successful across a range of states, including California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Florida and Virginia, offering a sustainable path toward closing the loop on water use.

While IPR systems have made headway in the United States, DPR projects are only just beginning to gain momentum stateside, despite already being commonplace in countries like Australia, Singapore and regions across Asia, Africa and Europe.

In early 2025, PCL broke ground on the Pure Water Center in El Paso, Texas, the nation’s first direct-to-distribution potable reuse facility. Scheduled for completion in 2028, this advanced purification center will treat 10 million gallons per day (MGD) of wastewater.

Using an advanced, multi-step purification process that exceeds current drinking water standards, the water will be distributed directly to consumers, marking a significant milestone in U.S. water reuse innovation. Once operational, the facility will help diversify El Paso’s water supply, providing a sustainable buffer during peak summer demand, reducing groundwater dependency and safeguarding aquifer health.

According to Ray Torrejon, district manager of PCL’s Civil Infrastructure Division in the eastern United States, the adoption of this type of treatment is only going to grow as more American’s take advantage of remote and hybrid work opportunities and migrate to water-stressed states such as Utah, Idaho, Texas, Colorado, Arizona and Florida. As of 2023, these states ranked among the 10 fastest growing in the nation. Many of them are situated in the western United States, a region increasingly affected by drought conditions linked to climate change.

“With a significant portion of the country experiencing different levels of drought and other water security concerns, we’re seeing a lot of people talking about and expressing interest in direct-to-potable reuse projects. It’s getting the right kind of publicity, and more facility operators are going to start pushing for this type of treatment,” says Torrejon.

Initiatives like the Boise recycled water project and the Pure Water Center in El Paso are initiatives that will lead the charge toward resilient, forward-thinking water infrastructure solutions.

When it comes to solving the nation’s water infrastructure challenges, scaling up could be part of the solution. Water and wastewater megaprojects, which are facilities designed to treat tens or even hundreds of millions of gallons per day (MGD), offer long-term resilience and reduce the need for supplementary expansions in the years ahead. For context, the average wastewater treatment plant treats around three to five MGD.

“We’re seeing clients start to look holistically at their infrastructure,” says Talwar. “As a byproduct of that, municipalities and facility operators are not just looking to do retrofits, they're completely expanding their programs and even building entire treatment plants. Projects are growing in size and magnitude to support growing populations for many years.”

PCL is equipped to deliver these ambitious undertakings, as demonstrated by projects like the Salt Lake City New Water Reclamation Facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant  south of San Diego, California. The Salt Lake City project is a wastewater treatment plant designed to process an average of 48 MGD, with flexibility to expand capacity as future demands evolve. The plant is projected to cost $700 million over a five-year construction period. At the San Diego project, PCL is doubling the facility’s treatment capacity to 50 MGD, with a peak capacity of 75 MGD.

While megaprojects may carry significant upfront costs, they often deliver long-term savings by minimizing the need for repeated infrastructure upgrades. Choosing a general contractor capable of navigating these complex, high-capacity builds is an investment in reliable infrastructure that will support communities for generations.

Upgrading or expanding water and wastewater infrastructure can be a complex and expensive endeavor, regardless of project size. On retrofit or expansion projects to existing plants, water and wastewater treatment facilities must remain fully operational due to the critical service they provide to communities. Additionally, a multitude of treatment technologies can be implemented into any water or wastewater project based on program budget, treatment capacity, end-use requirements and more. These complex projects require a team that can deliver projects under a variety of delivery methods, including alternative delivery methods that emphasize early contractor involvement and collaboration.

“PCL’s early involvement really sets us apart,” says Torrejon. "By getting engaged during the design phase, we can help shape the outcome and significantly increase the chances of a project’s success. This early collaboration is where we thrive.”

Delivery methods such as Progressive Design-Build, Construction Manager/General Contractor and Construction Manager at Risk help municipalities and facility operators navigate complexities with confidence. These delivery models prioritize contractor involvement early in the design phase, which establishes a collaborative environment from the outset to streamline timelines, control costs and ensure design alignment with project goals.

An example of success with alternative delivery models can be seen in an advanced water filtration facility PCL completed in 2024 in California. Delivered under a progressive design-build model, the facility treats water from a previously decommissioned well, effectively removing PFAS contaminants for the 700 households utilizing this water source. In the progressive design-build model, the engineer, project owner and contractor collaborate from the project's outset to develop the plan, preventing redesigns further in the construction process.

By integrating the construction team into the design phase, PCL helps reduce costly redesigns and accelerate decision-making, while ensuring that every solution is customized to the project’s technical demands and the community’s unique needs. Whether it’s a retrofit, expansion or new build, this collaboration-driven approach empowers clients to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure by implementing the most effective technologies and maintaining operational integrity every step of the way.

Beyond securing water access, upgrading infrastructure is equally about ensuring the delivery of safe, clean drinking water.

Following 2024 legislation from the Environmental Protection Agency, municipalities across the country are facing new legally enforceable drinking water standards designed to limit exposure to PFAS. With a compliance deadline set for 2029, cities and towns are seeking forward-thinking partners to help navigate these evolving challenges.

By partnering early with a general contractor that understands advanced treatment technologies, municipalities can not only meet but exceed compliance requirements. PCL brings deep experience with cutting-edge processes like microfiltration, reverse osmosis, ultraviolet disinfection, ion exchange and more — all proven methods to eliminate harmful contaminants and deliver high-quality drinking water.

One standout example is the Klein Enhancement Project in Commerce City, Colorado. This ion-exchange water treatment system is being built to deliver water that meets or exceeds all federal and state safety standards, including effective removal of PFAS.

Addressing water scarcity and contamination requires more than just technical fixes; it demands a collective commitment to change. Upgrading America’s aging water and wastewater infrastructure is essential to meet the demands of growing communities and safeguard public health.

Infrastructure alone isn’t the full solution. Lasting progress will come through widespread public education, water conservation and a shared understanding of water’s true value. As Talwar puts it, “We’ve got to stay optimistic about the future and keep collaborating with consultants, partners and municipalities to support them and find innovative ways to deliver long-term solutions to water challenges.”

By guiding municipalities from planning through construction, partners like PCL deliver customized treatment solutions that ensure safe, clean water for generations to come.