Pure Water San Diego Showcased at Engineering and Public Works Roadshow with Remarks from Kleinfelder’s Vic Bianes
Pure Water San Diego recently hosted a pivotal stop on the Engineering & Public Works Roadshow, a national initiative jointly led by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), the American Public Works Association (APWA), and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). The event celebrated the groundbreaking Pure Water San Diego program—one of the most forward-thinking public infrastructure projects in the country. Kleinfelder’s Vic Bianes, National President of AWPA, proudly presented remarks during the Roadshow ceremony, highlighting the importance of infrastructure projects like Pure Water and recognizing the teams that support this work.
Held at the North City Pure Water Facility on October 4, the event brought together industry leaders, city officials, engineers, and students to highlight the transformative impact of sustainable water infrastructure. The program aims to provide a safe, local, and drought-resilient water supply for hundreds of thousands of residents, reducing reliance on imported water and protecting natural resources.
Pure Water encompasses a vast system of new and expanded facilities, pipelines, and pump stations, all of which require thoughtful planning, design, and construction to ensure safe and reliable operation.
Kleinfelder’s engineers and construction professionals have supported many projects associated with the Pure Water Program, including new pump stations, upgraded pipelines, and treatment plant improvements. Most recently, this work has included the design of the Miramar Water Treatment Plant residuals redirection project and the current construction materials testing and inspection for the North City Pure Water Pipeline installation. These supporting elements are essential to connecting facilities, moving water efficiently, and enabling the overall program to achieve its goals.
“Too often, we ignore the importance of infrastructure and public works until something goes seriously wrong,” said Bianes. “I am grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the people and projects who are advancing high-quality infrastructure for our communities.”
Key speakers at the event included:
- Jason Matson (ACEC California President), who emphasized the collaborative spirit of the roadshow and its mission to spotlight impactful infrastructure
- Kurt Yoshii (ACEC Vice Chair), who spoke on engineering’s role in improving lives and inspiring future professionals
- Michael Drennan (ASCE Board Member), who highlighted the urgency of water scarcity and the importance of engineering solutions
- Vic Bianes (APWA President), who honored the team of more than 2,000 professionals who brought the project to life, contributing a total of more than 1 million hours of labor
- Doug Campbell (City of San Diego), who shared insights into the facility’s operations and its role in workforce development
- Joe LaCava (San Diego City Council President), who praised the project’s long-term vision and its significance as a model for infrastructure nationwide
- Troy Hedlund (Carollo Engineers), who reflected on the technical achievements and environmental benefits of the project
The event concluded with awards, a group photo, and a facility tour showcasing the advanced purification technologies that are setting new standards for water reuse across the country.
Pure Water San Diego stands as a testament to what can be achieved when engineering excellence, public leadership, and community vision converge. It’s not just infrastructure—it’s a blueprint for a sustainable future.
Along with awards presented during the Roadshow stop, Pure Water has also been honored by other industry organizations:
- Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Silver Anvil Award: The City received an Award of Excellence for its “Pure Stone” event, a partnership with Stone Brewing to create a beer from recycled water
- Water Environment Federation: The Pure Water San Diego program was recognized as a “Utility of the Future Today”
- Global Water Intelligence: The Pure Water Program was awarded the “Water Reuse Project of the Year”
- Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies: The Pure Water Program received the Sustainable Water Utility Management Award
- Partnership for Safe Water: In 2023, San Diego’s Miramar and Otay Water Treatment Plants earned national awards from the Partnership for Safe Water
