American Council of Engineering Companies of Montana Awards Morrison-Maierle for Water Supply Project

Morrison-Maierle, Inc., a “Top 500 Design Firm” offering planning, design, surveying, and construction engineering services throughout the western United States, received a 2008 Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Montana for the Cut Bank Creek Intake and Off-Stream Reservoir project.

Morrison-Maierle received the ACEC-Montana Honor Award in the Water and Wastewater category for the Cut Bank Creek Intake and Off-Stream Reservoir project in Cut Bank, Montana. The residents of Cut Bank, Montana, count on Cut Bank Creek and an infiltration gallery of pipes located beneath the creek bed for their raw water supply. The City was looking for a way to secure for the future a firm supply of water during low flows and to mitigate the water quality impacts of the highly turbid water during high runoff periods. Morrison-Maierle, Inc. took up the challenge. Building on a past Water System Master Plan completed by the City, Morrison-Maierle began the design and implementation of the needed improvements identified in that Master Plan. To meet the needs of the community, and to solve the issues of water shortages and high turbidity, Morrison-Maierle initiated design of a phased solution consisting of a new infiltration gallery in the Cut Bank Creek streambed; a new off-stream raw water reservoir; a new pump station to pump water from the infiltration gallery to the reservoir; and piping to make connection between the pump station, reservoir, water treatment plant. Related project components included treatment plant improvements and a distribution system extension. As the prime design firm, Morrison-Maierle, Inc. provided surveying, design, and construction observation services for the project.

The completed projects provide the City with a higher level of confidence in delivering water to their customers during drought periods. They also provide Cut Bank greater flexibility and control in operating its water system with which to provide consistently high quality water and more efficient distribution.

ACEC of Montana represents engineering companies employing engineers across the state. ACEC of Montana is an association that works with member firms to enhance and promote the engineering profession in the state of Montana. The Engineering Excellence Awards Program recognizes engineering firms for projects that demonstrate a high degree of achievement, value, and ingenuity. Judges included representatives from education and government.