The Waukesha Water Utility (WWU) provides water treatment and distribution services to Waukesha, Wis. But the primary source of drinking water, the St. Peter Sandstone Aquifer, has been depleted due to overuse and a layer of shale rock that restricts groundwater recharge, which has increased radium concentrations and other contaminants, posing a risk to public health.

Photo by Greg Kirstein

To address this issue, the city needed to plan, design, construct and commission a resilient water supply infrastructure with a century-long lifespan.

Photo by Greg Kirstein

The team overcame enormous challenges including the relocation of essential pumping stations and the timely procurement of more than 86 permits.

Photo by Greg Kirstein

The project used trenchless construction, precast reservoirs and drone technology for efficient execution. Synchronizing design and permitting proved critical to mitigating delays. Keeping the project on schedule required coordination across seven communities, two counties and multiple federal, state and local agencies.

Photo by Greg Kirstein

In October 2023, Waukesha successfully transitioned 100% of its residents and businesses to Lake Michigan water.