By Dana Tims | The Oregonian/OregonLive (April 08, 2015)
A long-time professional engineer has been tapped to help design and build a 30-mile pipeline that will provide Willamette River drinking water to more than 300,000 Washington County residents.
Dave Kraska, who brings more than 25 years of experience in the water industry, will serve as Tualatin Valley Water District’s Water Supply Department manager.
“We’re thrilled Dave has joined our team,” said Mark Knudson, the district’s chief executive officer. “His experience, reputation and personality are exactly what we need to deliver this complex program.”
The city of Hillsboro and TVWD, acting together, form the Willamette Water Supply Program. They are embarked on a $1 billion effort to supplement drinking water sources that currently include the Tualatin River, area reservoirs and the city of Portland’s Bull Run.
They have chosen a preferred pipeline route, which runs along the edges of Tualatin, Tigard and Beaverton before heading out to Hillsboro. All three of those mid-route cities are mulling whether to join the project.
Kraska, who joined the project from Portland-based Carollo Engineers, also will provide oversight and coordination of program planning, permitting, design and construction of major water supply system improvements.
Construction of the pipeline is scheduled to start in 2020 and wrap up by 2026.
