Lessons and Possibilities from the City of Beaverton’s Non-Potable Water Utility

The First in a Three-Part Series of NEBC Technical Workshops on Water and Environmental Resiliency 

Presented by GSI Water Solutions

The City of Beaverton is developing a non-potable water system to irrigate green spaces like parks, school grounds, and residential yards – the first major residential area in Oregon to do so. The new non-potable water system—called the Beaverton Purple Pipe—will use groundwater and treated stormwater for irrigation and stream recharge. The project leverages a water supply development grant from Oregon Water Resources Department and has been a Beaverton City Council priority for the benefits it brings to achieving the City’s Climate Action Plan and resiliency goals.

The Beaverton Purple Pipe will provide irrigation water supply to the newly annexed and rapidly developing area known as South Cooper Mountain and will be used to enhance flows in nearby streams. The Beaverton Purple Pipe capitalizes on previous investments made by the City in its successful aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) program to provide a cost-effective supply of water for irrigation that would otherwise be derived from the City’s limited drinking water supplies. The presentation will cover:

 – Key implementation challenges, including legal and administrative issues with developing the ordinances, system development charges, and rates.

 – Technical issues related to piloting a stormwater treatment system, developing purple pipe design standards, and operation and maintenance protocols.

 – Internal coordination of City departments to ensure efforts are harmonized.

 – Working with the community and developers to implement the system.

SPEAKERS 

Priya Dhanapal, PE
Program Manager and Senior Project Engineer
City of Beaverton, Oregon

Priya Dhanapal PE has worked as Program Manager and Senior Project Engineer for the City of Beaverton since 2018. Previously, Priya worked for national engineering consulting firms since 2006. She is managing several large water construction projects, along with the Non-potable Water System Program.

Ronan Igloria, PE, CWRE
Water Resources Consultant
GSI Water Solutions, Inc.

Ronan Igloria has been in consulting for over 20 years specializing in water resources engineering and planning, including water master planning and watershed management planning, source water protection, water rights, stormwater management,  and sustainability. He’s been with GSI Water Solutions since 2017 and is the project manager for the consultant team supporting the City’s Non-potable Water System Program.

Jason Melady RG, CWRE
Principal Hydrogeologist
GSI Water Solutions, Inc.

Jason Melady has been in consulting for 20 years and is GSI’s groundwater services lead for the Pacific Northwest. He has significant experience managing water resources, groundwater supply, and water rights projects, with particular expertise in the design and operation of aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) well systems. Jason is the technical lead for the consulting team on Beaverton’s Non-potable Water System Program, including the treated stormwater source for the system.

David Winship, PE
Principal Engineer
City of Beaverton, Oregon

David Winship has been the Principal Engineer for the City of Beaverton, Oregon since 1988. He manages the Engineering Division, in the City’s Public Works Department. The Engineering Division is responsible for utility master planning and administering the City’s annual capital improvements program of nearly $50 million for the City’s potable water, stormwater, and sanitary sewer systems and streets. He is the City’s principal lead for the Non-potable Water System Program.

ABOUT GSI WATER SOLUTIONS 

We are a specialized groundwater, environmental, and water resources consulting firm. We help clients protect and manage shared water resources with solutions that are practical, forward-thinking, and built on a foundation of good science. We deliver practical, informed solutions for strategic water resource planning and environmental management.

As hydrogeologists, environmental scientists, and water experts, we focus on helping our clients protect our shared natural resources. We look for cost-effective solutions that help you make sound, strategic decisions. We work in the public and private sectors, from city governments and water districts to farms and international companies.

COST
NEBC Members: $25.00
Non-Members: $45.00

*Municipalities & state agencies may register at the member rate.