PMI 2011 Project Of The Year Award Winner

The Prairie Waters Project
Prairie Waters Project (PWP) was the largest water project of its type completed in more than 30 years in Colorado. The efforts and unwavering ethics of the project team members resulted in delivering outstanding water quality to the city of Aurora.
A severe drought in 2002-2004 left the city of Aurora with only a 9-month supply of water. The Leaders of the city considered over 40 optional ways and methods to get additional water to customers of Aurora. They considered importing additional water from across the continental divide. After careful review, the city decided on what is now known as the Prairie Waters Project. This water delivery system brought in additional pre-treated water from the South Platte River. This water was pumped 34 miles to a new water purification facility. The treated water was then delivered to higher-pressure zones within Aurora’s potable water distribution system.
A project of this size and complexity demanded a well thought-out and unique approach to product delivery along with teamwork to be completed within the tight timeline. The program management approach consisted of an integrated Program Management Team (PMT) comprised of CH2M HILL and Aurora Water employees. A number of other engineering and construction teams worked closely with the PMT. “Possibly, the reason most responsible for the success of the Program was the team’s commitment to working together toward a common goal of effective delivery of the PWP” (Catalano, 2011, p. 3).
As part of the integrated PMT, CH2M HILL employees collaborated with the city and each person had clearly defined roles and responsibilities. The PMT was responsible for awarding and negotiating design contracts, obtaining all the proper and required permits, the acquisition of land and easements required for this