Cadiz Inc. has appointed Stantec, a renowned global leader in sustainable engineering and design, as the Owner’s Engineer for the Mojave Groundwater Bank project. This $800 million venture is poised to become the largest new water infrastructure initiative in the Southwest.
Upon completion, the Mojave Groundwater Bank will contribute 2.5 million acre-feet of new water supply, offer 1 million acre-feet of underground storage capacity, and create a pipeline network that spans over 350 miles, linking the Colorado River with California Aqueducts. The project aims to ensure affordable water access for communities throughout California and Arizona.
“Stantec is unparalleled in the engineering sector for its proficiency in water supply infrastructure and has been our reliable partner for nearly two decades. We are excited to have Stantec oversee the design, development, and construction as we enter this crucial phase of activating the Mojave Groundwater Bank,” stated Susan Kennedy, CEO & Chair of Cadiz Inc.
Under this agreement, Stantec will serve as the Owner’s Engineer, aiding in contractor selection through a Construction Management at Risk delivery model. The firm will also spearhead the engineering, procurement, and construction management processes, striving for an expedited construction schedule.
“Climate change-induced variability in water supply poses significant risks to long-term water security across the Western U.S., necessitating updates and expansions to the water delivery system to reliably meet community needs,” remarked John Hanula, senior vice president at Stantec.
“With decades of experience collaborating with utilities in California and the West, we comprehend the challenges of implementing new infrastructure. We are privileged to be part of the groundbreaking Mojave Groundwater Bank, which will achieve numerous milestones in our regional water infrastructure.”
Located at the base of a 2,000-square-mile watershed system, approximately 40 miles north of the Colorado River Aqueduct and 220 miles east of California State Water Project facilities, the Mojave Groundwater Bank is supported by an underground aquifer system. This aquifer is estimated to contain between 30 and 50 million acre-feet of groundwater, surpassing the combined storage capacity of Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the two largest surface reservoirs in the U.S.
The project has received permits to supply 2.5 million acre-feet of new water to communities in the Mojave River Basin, the Colorado River Basin, and California’s Inland Empire. It is also authorized to store up to 1 million acre-feet of imported water, helping to ease the strain on the already burdened State Water Project and Colorado River systems.
In late 2024, Cadiz announced a historic partnership with Native American Tribes to construct, own, and operate the Mojave Groundwater Bank. This collaboration represents the first instance in U.S. history where a large-scale water infrastructure project has been developed off tribal lands through such a partnership. The estimated total construction cost remains around $800 million.
Source :Cadiz
