Northwest Area Water Supply Final Design and Construction
North Central and Northwest North Dakota

Project Details:
North Central and Northwest North Dakota have suffered through both floods and droughts in recent history. Along with the economic struggle that accompanies these extremes in a largely agricultural economy, the residents of this area have also faced the difficulties associated with obtaining and maintaining a safe, affordable water supply.

In the late 1980s, the concept of the Northwest Area Water Supply (NAWS) was developed. Houston Engineering, in association with Montgomery Watson Harza, did the preliminary engineering reports and predesign, along with the final design and construction phase of the project. This is an ongoing project with numerous specific authorizations for each individual task.

Due to funding restraints, Phase 1 of the project, which gets the water from Lake Sakakawea to the city of Minot, was designed and constructed over many years. This phase provided better quality water and a dependable source to 35,000 people in Minot and 10,000 people living on the Minot Air Force Base.

Phase 2 extends the system to more than 15 smaller cities or towns and rural water systems west, northwest, and northeast of Minot. This phase will provide water to over 80,000 people. Despite ongoing funding challenges, the project continues and final plans include installing additional pipeline, designing the Minot Water Treatment Plant upgrade, and designing water supply lines to the Minot Air Force Base and the city of Berthold.

Project Benefits:

• Safe and reliable water to the city of Minot, the Minot Air Force Base, and the rural water systems and smaller cities in the area.

Project Award:
2003 Outstanding Engineering Design Project (both local and state levels), from the North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers

Project Web Site:
http://www.houstoneng.com/projects/naws/