Slayden Constructors completed a major expansion of the Joint Water Commission (JWC) Water Treatment Plant in Forest Grove, Oregon, strengthening the region’s primary drinking water supply system for more than 350,000 Washington County residents. The project increased plant capacity from 75 MGD to 85 MGD and improved seismic resiliency to better support the area’s rapidly growing communities.

Extensive value engineering played a central role in the project’s success. The original seismic design called for yard piping supported on piles and fully encased in concrete, an expensive and time intensive approach. Slayden worked closely with suppliers to develop an alternative solution using earthquake resistant ductile iron pipe, saving the project $2.5 million, shortening the delivery schedule, minimizing redesign needs, and still meeting stringent seismic requirements. Throughout the project, Slayden led a design to budget process that included bi weekly design reviews and continual cost estimating to keep the work aligned with the owner’s financial targets.

This expansion strengthened the resilience and capacity of a critical regional water system, supporting long term reliability for communities across Washington County.

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