Houston Awards $2.2B Water Plant Expansion Design to CDM Smith
Event summary
- CDM Smith selected for design services on the $2.2B East Water Purification Plant (EWPP) expansion in Houston.
- Project aims to add 360 MGD capacity with advanced treatment processes including ozone disinfection and biological filtration.
- Design phase completion scheduled for 2028, serving 1.8 million residents (75% of Houston’s population).
- Combined with the Northeast Water Purification Plant, the two facilities will support over 4 million metropolitan residents.
The big picture
This contract reflects Houston’s aggressive push to modernize its water infrastructure amid population growth and stricter environmental regulations. The $2.2B project underscores the increasing demand for advanced treatment technologies like ozone disinfection and biological filtration, positioning CDM Smith as a key player in large-scale municipal engineering.
What we're watching
- Execution Risk
- Whether CDM Smith can deliver the complex design on schedule amid Houston’s growing water demands.
- Regulatory Shifts
- The pace at which PFAS removal requirements evolve and impact future project phases.
- Market Positioning
- How this win strengthens CDM Smith’s standing in large-scale municipal water infrastructure projects.