Tigard’s new reservoir and pump station, Reservoir 18 and Pump Station 13 are now complete!

Reservoir 18 is a completely new reservoir built to serve the growing population in West Tigard. Pump Station 13 was built to serve Reservoir 18 and replaced an existing temporary pump station on the Reservoir 13 site. 

Fun Facts About the Reservoir 18 Project:

• This is Tigard’s first new reservoir since 2008 and first new pump station since 2010.
• The project installed 17,476 feet (3.3 miles!) of 8-, 12-, and 24-inch diameter pipe, the most pipe ever installed in a single City of Tigard project.
• It was the First Progressive Design Build contract for the City, meaning a collaborative project delivery method combining design and construction under one contract.
• There are 16 miles of high tensile steel wire wrapping Reservoir 18. The wire essentially holds the reservoir together. Water wants to push out on the walls of the reservoir and the wire wrapping holds the walls together. It also helps contributes to the seismic resiliency of the reservoir.
• 2085 dump truck trips were saved by keeping soil excavated for Reservoir 18 on-site.
• Pump Station 13 can move 3.3 million gallons of water per day.

Schedule:

• Project Kickoff - Spring 2021
• Contracting - Fall 2021
• Site Selection - Spring 2022
• Design - Winter 2021 to Winter 2023
• Permitting - Spring 2022 to Winter 2023
• Construction - Summer 2023 to Fall 2025

This project included three major pieces:

• Reservoir 18: A fully buried 4.5-million-gallon concrete drinking water reservoir at Sunrise Park.
• Pump Station 13: A new pump station at the existing Water Site 13 to deliver drinking water to Reservoir 18 and serve as a backup pump station to Reservoir 8.
• Installation of transmission and distribution piping upgrades along two routes within the surrounding neighborhoods.

This project will ensure enough healthy, safe water to:

• Keep pace with the city’s growth
• Meet peak demand periods
• Navigate emergencies and natural disasters

This project was necessary to meet demand from continued development in River Terrace. Under the existing water distribution system configuration, supply to the 560-foot service area relied on the storage, pumping, and transmission facilities that also served the 713-foot service area. The western slopes of Bull Mountain have seen a sharp increase in development since the city annexed in this area and approved the River Terrace Community Plan. At full build-out, River Terrace is expected to add 2,587 units to this area. Hydraulic analyses showed that existing facilities serving the 713-foot service area do not have adequate capacity to continue serving the 560-foot service area.

Reservoir 18 Before Backfilling

24-Inch Water Main Installation

For you as a Tigard resident, this project means:

• Reliable access to clean, safe drinking water- today and for decades to come
• Stronger water pressure and more consistent service during peak use times, such as hot summer days
• Increased reliability during emergencies, including fires, extreme weather, or infrastructure disruptions
• Peace of mind knowing the City is planning ahead to protect public health and daily quality of life
• A water system built to support families, homes, and businesses as the City continues to grow

What This Means for the City:

• A larger, modern reservoir that keeps pace with continued development and population growth
• Capacity to meet peak demand without straining existing infrastructure
• Improved resilience during natural disasters and emergency situations
• Long-term investment that strengthens the City’s core infrastructure, not just expanding it
• Thoughtful planning that prepares the City for tomorrow, building a community that is not just bigger, but stronger, safer, and ready for whatever lies ahead