Carollo Engineers to Manage Construction of Nevada’s First Water Purification and Reuse Facility

$200M facility to enhance regional water security and sustainability 

RENO, Nev. — Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) has selected Carollo Engineers to provide construction management services for the Advanced Purified Water Facility (APWF) project. Undertaken by OneWater Nevada, a regional collaboration led by the City of Reno and TMWA, the $200 million facility will be Nevada’s first water purification and reuse project. The initiative represents a major investment in regional water resource optimization, conservation, and innovative treatment technology.

To be located a few miles north of Reno, the APWF was identified as a critical component of the region’s comprehensive water management strategy. TMWA and the City of Reno have committed substantial resources to this major initiative to produce Category A+ Advanced Purified Water, optimize aquifer storage and recovery, and provide a drought-proof supply for the region’s growing population. 

“The Advanced Purified Water Facility represents a transformational investment in the Truckee Meadows’ water future,” said Dr. Lydia Teel, TMWA’s Water Operations and Emerging Resources Supervisor. “This innovative project demonstrates our commitment to diversifying our region’s water portfolio while collaborating with our partners at the City of Reno to improve wastewater management.”

Carollo’s selection reflects the firm’s extensive experience in advanced water treatment design, innovative reuse projects, and complex construction management. Supported by DOWL, Carollo will provide comprehensive construction management services including resident engineering, quality oversight, and contract administration across multiple project sites, supporting coordinated execution and timely delivery.

“We are honored that TMWA has selected this team to lead construction management for the Advanced Purified Water Facility Project,” said Carollo Engineers Vice President Keith Corcoran. “This groundbreaking project represents a significant milestone in long-term regional water sustainability and security. Our team is committed to delivering expert construction oversight to facilitate completion of this critical initiative.”

The facility will provide a local, drought-resistant water source while reducing reclaimed water discharge into flood-prone Swan Lake by up to two million gallons per day and improving discharge water quality. The project demonstrates the viability of Advanced Purified Water in non-coastal states, potentially enabling implementation at other Nevada water reclamation facilities.

The APWF will utilize an innovative ozone-biological-carbon based treatment system to produce purified water meeting state and federal drinking water standards. This proven technology offers advantages over conventional approaches, including lower capital and operating costs, reduced energy requirements, and elimination of brine-concentrate discharge associated with reverse osmosis systems.

High-quality effluent from the Reno-Stead Water Reclamation Facility will undergo advanced ozone oxidation and biological filtration at the APWF followed by final polishing using granular activated carbon filtration and ultraviolet light treatment to produce Category A+ Advanced Purified Water (A+). As defined by the Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) 445A, A+ water is suitable for all Nevada water recycling practices, including groundwater augmentation. This A+ water will be conveyed seven miles to a rural site for agricultural irrigation as well as injected into the aquifer for storage and future withdrawal as needed.

The project involves comprehensive improvements at multiple locations, including upgrades to the Reno-Stead Water Reclamation Facility, construction of the new APWF, an export pump station, conveyance pipelines, finished water storage tanks, and injection, monitoring, and extraction wells. The project also includes a potable water pipeline for future connection to the TMWA water system.

Construction is anticipated to break ground this summer and continue through November 2028.