The Ralston Reservoir serves as a primary source of water for the metro-Denver community of Arvada. When a multi-month closure was scheduled so the reservoir could undergo maintenance and repairs, the community turned to PCL Construction to build critical infrastructure that connected the city to alternative source of water.

The city contract with PCL to build a new pump station with a capacity of 12 million gallons per day and installed 7,400 feet of a 24-inch main water pipeline to ensure water delivery from another raw water source during the Ralston Reservoir shutdown.

This project marked one of the City of Arvada’s first uses of the Construction Management/General Contractor (CM/GC) delivery method for a water or wastewater project. In this delivery method, the contractor is engaged early to provide input on the final project’s design. PCL was selected for the extensive experience with both this delivery model and the specific challenges of water infrastructure projects.

The project started during the height of COVID-19, resulting in collaboration issues and supply chain disruptions. Early on, the team realized that factory shutdowns caused by the pandemic would result in delays in the delivery of the roof joists. To manage this risk, the team focused on finalizing the roof design and speeding up submittal reviews and avoided the predicted delays. Despite various challenges, the team showed great flexibility and problem-solving skills, finishing the project 46 days early and saving the client over $470,000.

PCL’s approach to this project was truly collaborative, with the City remaining top-of-mind in any decision that the project team made. This included organizing a virtual reality walkthrough for the operations staff before the project was completed. Using a 3D model, the team facilitated a virtual tour of the pump station, allowing staff to assess the accessibility and functionality of maintenance items, ensuring the final product met operational needs.

The Ralston Raw Water Pump Station and Pipeline project was delivered ahead of schedule and under budget and provided a reliable alternative water source for the community during a critical period. PCL’s innovative approach, combined with a deep commitment to collaboration and adaptability, set a standard for water infrastructure projects in the region.