--- title:  WHCRWA Water Supply Project Pump Station description: HVJ provided Geotechnical Engineering and Construction Materials Testing for the WHCRWA Water Supply Project Pump Station. image: https://www.hvj.com/hubfs/WHCRWA-pump-station-Aerial-1-Proposed-central-pump-station.jpg --- [![HVJ Logo](https://www.hvj.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HVJ%20logo_141x71.png?width=110&height=71&name=HVJ%20logo_141x71.png "HVJ Logo")](https://www.hvj.com/?hsLang=en) ** [ Let's talk ](https://www.hvj.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) ** ** Geotechnical Engineering Soil, rock, and groundwater conditions at every site are different. We assess the specific site conditions and design earth structures (slopes, channels, and dikes), foundations (retaining walls, bridges, buildings, tanks), and subsurface structures (clarifiers, lift stations, buried utilities, tunnels) to economically achieve the specific project objectives. Learn More → Construction Materials Engineering & Testing Construction material performance is key to the function and durability of any project. We engineer and test materials such as soil, concrete, and asphalt so you get what you pay for and the project performs as expected.     Learn More → Civil/Pavement Engineering A successful project starts with clear understanding of the project’s specific needs. We prepared street rehabilitation PS&E, traffic control designs, pavement designs, and asset management systems based on careful understanding of design requirements.   Learn More → Environmental Geology & Engineering Impact from hazardous waste, wetlands, faulting, and/or NEPA processes are serious concerns for project development. We identify such concerns early in project development, and provide strategies to mitigate impacts and provide the proper regulatory approval so the project can proceed on time and achieve the project goals. Learn More → Roads & Bridges Congestion and failing road surfaces cause delays, vehicle damage, and even driver safety issues. Solving these problems requires our specialized knowledge of pavement and roadway structures. Learn More → Water, Wastewater & Flood Control Drinking water, flushing toilets, and dry streets for granted – until they are gone. We specialize in keeping these systems running effectively. Learn More → Airports, Ports & Dredging Expanding and maintaining ports and airports is crucial to our economic development. HVJ’s specialized pavement, wharf, and navigation channel experience makes it happen. Learn More → Rail & Transit Rail and public transit facilities enable efficient transportation of people and goods. Our detailed knowledge of AREMA requirements keeps projects on track. Learn More → Buildings & Parks Schools, universities, courts, parks, solid waste facilities are all critical to our society. HVJ has specialized knowledge and experience with a multitude of public projects. Learn More → [About Us](https://go.hvj.com/about-us?hsLang=en) [News & Resources](https://www.hvj.com/blog?hsLang=en) [Locations](https://www.hvj.com/all-locations?hsLang=en) [Partners](https://www.hvj.com/partners?hsLang=en) HVJ Difference Our engineers provide a unique blend of capabilities and experience because of the support they receive. Employees do not simply exist here. They thrive. Learn More → Culture We are committed learners, empowered to interact based on making strong commitments. We take ownership of our actions and results. Learn More → Benefits We believe in taking care of our employees. We offer a rewarding work experience, opportunities for advancement and competitive benefits. Learn More → Employee Stories Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project. Learn More → Current Openings We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams. Learn More → The Opportunity Own a successful engineering business by adding our proven systems to your engineering talent and network. Learn More → How It Works Help us branchise – you help us build a branch office and then convert it into your own franchise. Learn More → Who's A Fit? Are you energetic and confident? See if this might be an opportunity that fits you. Learn More → FAQs What do you want to know?  Find the answers to common questions. Learn More → Success Stories Hear about the outstanding results our current franchisees have produced using our proven systems. Learn More → [![HVJ Logo](https://www.hvj.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HVJ%20logo_141x71.png?width=110&height=71&name=HVJ%20logo_141x71.png "HVJ Logo")](https://www.hvj.com/?hsLang=en) ** [ Let's talk ](https://www.hvj.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) ** ** Geotechnical Engineering Soil, rock, and groundwater conditions at every site are different. We assess the specific site conditions and design earth structures (slopes, channels, and dikes), foundations (retaining walls, bridges, buildings, tanks), and subsurface structures (clarifiers, lift stations, buried utilities, tunnels) to economically achieve the specific project objectives. Learn More → Construction Materials Engineering & Testing Construction material performance is key to the function and durability of any project. We engineer and test materials such as soil, concrete, and asphalt so you get what you pay for and the project performs as expected.     Learn More → Civil/Pavement Engineering A successful project starts with clear understanding of the project’s specific needs. We prepared street rehabilitation PS&E, traffic control designs, pavement designs, and asset management systems based on careful understanding of design requirements.   Learn More → Environmental Geology & Engineering Impact from hazardous waste, wetlands, faulting, and/or NEPA processes are serious concerns for project development. We identify such concerns early in project development, and provide strategies to mitigate impacts and provide the proper regulatory approval so the project can proceed on time and achieve the project goals. Learn More → Roads & Bridges Congestion and failing road surfaces cause delays, vehicle damage, and even driver safety issues. Solving these problems requires our specialized knowledge of pavement and roadway structures. Learn More → Water, Wastewater & Flood Control Drinking water, flushing toilets, and dry streets for granted – until they are gone. We specialize in keeping these systems running effectively. Learn More → Airports, Ports & Dredging Expanding and maintaining ports and airports is crucial to our economic development. HVJ’s specialized pavement, wharf, and navigation channel experience makes it happen. Learn More → Rail & Transit Rail and public transit facilities enable efficient transportation of people and goods. Our detailed knowledge of AREMA requirements keeps projects on track. Learn More → Buildings & Parks Schools, universities, courts, parks, solid waste facilities are all critical to our society. HVJ has specialized knowledge and experience with a multitude of public projects. Learn More → [About Us](https://go.hvj.com/about-us?hsLang=en) [News & Resources](https://www.hvj.com/blog?hsLang=en) [Locations](https://www.hvj.com/all-locations?hsLang=en) [Partners](https://www.hvj.com/partners?hsLang=en) HVJ Difference Our engineers provide a unique blend of capabilities and experience because of the support they receive. Employees do not simply exist here. They thrive. Learn More → Culture We are committed learners, empowered to interact based on making strong commitments. We take ownership of our actions and results. Learn More → Benefits We believe in taking care of our employees. We offer a rewarding work experience, opportunities for advancement and competitive benefits. Learn More → Employee Stories Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project. Learn More → Current Openings We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams. Learn More → Agencies HVJ has been proud to support hundreds of public agencies meet and exceed service expectations from their constituents.  Learn More → Consultant Clients We’ve developed ongoing teaming relationships with many consulting firms based on delivering outstanding client satisfaction. Learn More → Providers Our success strongly depends on our business associates that provide the products and services we need. Learn More → HVJ Difference Our engineers provide a unique blend of capabilities and experience because of the support they receive. Employees do not simply exist here. They thrive. Learn More → Culture We are committed learners, empowered to interact based on making strong commitments. We take ownership of our actions and results. Learn More → Benefits We believe in taking care of our employees. We offer a rewarding work experience, opportunities for advancement and competitive benefits. Learn More → Employee Stories Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project. Learn More → Current Openings We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams. Learn More → The Opportunity Own a successful engineering business by adding our proven systems to your engineering talent and network. Learn More → How It Works Help us branchise – you help us build a branch office and then convert it into your own franchise. Learn More → Who's A Fit? Are you energetic and confident? See if this might be an opportunity that fits you. Learn More → FAQs What do you want to know?  Find the answers to common questions. Learn More → Success Stories Hear about the outstanding results our current franchisees have produced using our proven systems. Learn More → Search **Menu** ** ** [![Let's Talk](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/5496911/6233d0db-c76c-4678-9152-08331c17b6f1.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/5496911/6233d0db-c76c-4678-9152-08331c17b6f1) ![shutterstock_2465984897](https://www.hvj.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_2465984897.jpg?width=2000&height=2000&name=shutterstock_2465984897.jpg "shutterstock_2465984897") #  WHCRWA Water Supply Project Pump Station ## Project Background The West Harris County Regional Water Authority (WHCRWA) provides surface water to 67 water plants, with 46 districts having transitioned to surface water. The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (HGSD) and Fort Bend Subsidence District (FBSD) are regulatory agencies that work with Houston-area regional water authorities and government entities to reduce the risk of subsidence, which refers to ground sinking caused by water extraction. These agencies have mandated that all water suppliers in Harris, Fort Bend, and Galveston counties decrease groundwater pumping starting in 2025 and beyond. To comply with groundwater reduction mandates and combat subsidence, WHCRWA has partnered with the North Fort Bend Water Authority (NFBWA) on the Surface Water Supply Project (SWSP). This joint initiative will shift the region’s dependence on groundwater to surface water by utilizing the City of Houston’s Northeast Water Purification Plan to deliver water from Lake Houston to retail water providers in each district. Over 55 miles of large-diameter pipelines and two large pump stations are being constructed as part of this project.  HVJ has been providing geotechnical and construction material testing services for the central pump station.  **Practice:** [Geotechnical Engineering ](https://www.hvj.com/geotechnical-engineering-services?hsLang=en)and [Construction Materials Testing](https://www.hvj.com/constuction-materials-engineering-testing?hsLang=en) **Sector:** [Water](https://www.hvj.com/water-wastewater-flood-control?hsLang=en) **Location:**  Houston, Texas **Services: **Geotechnical Engineering and Construction Materials Testing ![WHCRWA-pump-station-Aerial-1-Proposed-central-pump-station](https://www.hvj.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WHCRWA-pump-station-Aerial-1-Proposed-central-pump-station.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&name=WHCRWA-pump-station-Aerial-1-Proposed-central-pump-station.jpg "WHCRWA-pump-station-Aerial-1-Proposed-central-pump-station") ## The Problem  Two unique challenges emerged during the geotechnical and construction material testing services for the central pump station. - The project required several large, heavily loaded prestressed concrete storage tanks, each up to 264 feet in diameter, placed on soft clay soils. The geotechnical design for the tank foundation called for a cost-effective solution because the tanks and their connecting pipes have a low tolerance for movement. - During construction, the contractor faced difficulties in passing the proof roll of the existing ground. They excavated a few feet and backfilled with fill soil, but the proof rolling showed a stable subgrade had still not been achieved. ## The Goal Our objective was to provide cost-effective geotechnical and materials engineering solutions for the project without increasing the project construction expenses or timelines.  ## Our Solution Our team performed comprehensive settlement analyses using consolidation tests for each soil layer, accounting for the interaction of the multiple tanks. Our solution of five to six feet of surface soft soil replacement cost-effectively ensures that the soft clay soil will not adversely affect the storage tank foundation. To address the challenge of achieving the proof rolling requirement, our geotechnical engineer inspected the site and identified a small swale area that could have backfilled without compaction control. We coordinated with the contractor to excavate down to the bottom of the swale area using the site survey data, allowing the excavated soil to dry. They then backfilled in an 8-inch lift to the final grade level. This enabled them to perform the final proof on the ground surface before proceeding with subsequent subgrade work.  The Results Our solutions helped keep the project on budget and on schedule. We eliminated the need for costly deep foundation requirements during the tank design phase. By resolving problems promptly on-site, we also avoided the necessity of bringing in expensive select fill material to meet the proof rolling requirements. The delivery of water through the newly built pipelines is scheduled to begin in 2026. ![SWSP-072823-BASE-MAP-web](https://www.hvj.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SWSP-072823-BASE-MAP-web.jpg?width=1920&height=970&name=SWSP-072823-BASE-MAP-web.jpg)   Share this story [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hvj.com%2Fwhcrwa%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hvj.com%2Fwhcrwa%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hvj.com%2Fwhcrwa%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hvj.com%2Fwhcrwa%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=%C2%A0WHCRWA%20Water%20Supply%20Project%20Pump%20Station) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hvj.com%2Fwhcrwa%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hvj.com%2Fwhcrwa%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) #### HVJ Associates, Inc. 6120 S. 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