SITE PLAN

The site’s layout reflects the intricate water treatment process it supports. The facility is organized around a “main street” concept that begins at the public zone and entrance, loops around the process elements, and back to the facility exit.

The front door to the facility is the administrative building and the maintenance building. These human-centric buildings provide space for the public to interface with the facility and distinguish between non-process and process elements.

CAMPUS LAYOUT

The process end of the facility houses essential components, including filters, flocculation, ozone treatment, and other systems, all interconnected by chemical buildings, dewatering structures, and pump stations. While pumps aid water movement, the system primarily relies on gravity to maximize energy efficiency and resilience.

The campus layout prioritizes gravity-fed water movement, starting from the highest point at the main street and sloping down to the water reservoir. Roads throughout the site are designed for functionality and security, with truck queuing areas, covered chemical delivery bays, and a perimeter ring road supporting maintenance and safety. A secondary site emergency access point allows for operational continuity during events.

The design preserves much of the 90-acre site. The lower site, previously a tree farm, channels stormwater into a creek, utilizing extensive stormwater management systems so that post-development water levels do not exceed pre-development flows.

COMMUNITY INTEGRATION

Community engagement shaped the project’s direction. Residents expressed concerns about noise and light impacts, which MWA responded to with comprehensive studies, complying with dark-sky lighting standards and enclosing noisy operations within buildings designed for acoustic control. This proactive approach demonstrated the project’s commitment to being a respectful neighbor.

Once complete, PWB will welcome the public to the facility, offering scheduled tours to provide a close-up view of the water treatment process. A large plaza in front of the administrative building creates an inviting gathering space. Tours will accommodate schools, engineers, and Portland Water Bureau representatives, and the facility will be an educational stop en route to the watershed.

SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE

Sustainability is embedded throughout the design. The administrative building is designed to net-zero energy performance, leveraging PV panels and high-efficiency systems, including a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system that recycles heat between building zones. In addition, the design includes passive design elements such as east-west building orientation, strategic daylighting of interior spaces, and operable windows for ventilation and occupant comfort. The plant’s overall design meets Envision certification standards, reflecting a commitment to resource efficiency, environmental stewardship, and long-term resilience.

The plant operates as a zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) facility — no off-spec water leaves the site. Rainwater harvesting and rain gardens enhance stormwater handling, protecting the regional watershed.

The plant’s resilience extends to emergency readiness. It can sustain operations for weeks during power outages, thanks to dual power feeds and backup generators. Critical areas — from break rooms to sleeping quarters — double as resilience spaces. A dedicated communications tower provides uninterrupted coordination with Portland’s other water facilities.

DESIGNED FOR ADAPTABILITY AND LONGEVITY

Bull Run is built to last over a century, with materials rated for a minimum 50-year lifespan. Treated water output capacity is scalable from 135 million gallons per day (mgd) to 225 mgd, so that future growth needs are met without major redesigns.

This project stands as a testament to MWA’s expertise in large-scale water infrastructure. It reflects decades of partnership with the Portland Water Bureau and a deep understanding of community priorities, engineering complexity, and environmental responsibility. As operators, engineers, and future generations engage with this site, they’ll experience a thoughtfully designed, resilient, and enduring water treatment campus.