Engineering for the Future: Tim Jervis on Strategies for Sustainable Water Infrastructure
Aging water infrastructure presents significant challenges for communities across Canada, as highlighted by the recent high-profile system failures in Calgary and Montreal.
The Role of Inspections and Proactive Management
According to Tim Jervis, Senior Strategic Advisor at RAM, one of the biggest difficulties with aging infrastructure is determining the actual condition of the asset and assessing its risk of failure. Asset condition assessments can be both costly and difficult, especially in parts of the system with accessibility limitations or lack of redundancy. Due to fiscal constraints, utilities are often forced to “stretch” the life of aging infrastructure, risking operational failures that can cause environmental, social, and economic disruption. For this reason, routine inspections and maintenance play a crucial role in extending asset longevity.
RAM employs best-in-class technologies and skilled teams for inspection programs. These programs help determine the condition and remaining life expectancy of assets and often make it possible for utilities to implement a proactive management approach, which can be considerably more cost effective and less impactful than undertaking a full replacement.
Reflecting on Tim’s Project Experience
Drawing from four decades of project leadership, Tim highlighted two projects that stand out most in his career: the Seymour Capilano Filtration Project and the First Narrows Pressure Tunnel Repair.
The $820M Seymour Capilano Filtration Project, which Tim oversaw between 2000 and 2015, sought to improve Metro Vancouver’s water treatment capabilities through innovative infrastructure, including twin 7.1 km tunnels and a 1.7 MW energy-recovery facility. Despite tight deadlines ahead of the 2010 Winter Olympics, the team successfully completed what was, at the time, Metro Vancouver’s largest-ever capital project. “What makes me proudest,” Tim reflected, “were the challenges we overcame and the many sustainable practices and innovative approaches that were incorporated in the project’s design and construction.”
The First Narrows Pressure Tunnel Repair project is another example of the challenges presented by aging infrastructure. Originally constructed in the early 1930s, this tunnel’s 120 m (400 ft.) deep north shaft and connecting watermains at the edge of the First Narrows failed catastrophically, necessitating emergency repair. Led by Tim, the team worked triple shifts, 24/7, for over six months to restore the system before peak summer demand. What made this project especially unique was that RAM served as both Owner and Design-Builder, working with GVWD engineers and construction crews to complete the scope, which included installing and grouting a new 2,100 mm (84 in.) diameter welded steel liner for the full depth of the shaft, replacing the large diameter connecting mains, and densifying the ground around the shaft and adjacent valve chamber. The project was completed on time and within budget, restoring a critical link in GVWD’s water transmission system.
RAM’s Approach for Project Success
One of the reasons RAM consistently delivers on projects is our focus on close partnerships with clients, engineers, contractors, and the public. This strategy minimizes disruptions while ensuring that projects align with community needs and regional goals. RAM personnel bring extensive experience in utility infrastructure design and construction as well as strong working knowledge of regional and municipal systems. As Construction Manager, RAM builds highly motivated teams by fostering collaboration among Owners, Engineers, and Contractors, all with the shared goal of achieving project excellence for the region and its member jurisdictions.
Given that many projects are constructed in heavily built-up urban environments, RAM works closely with Metro Vancouver, host municipalities, and the public to reduce disruptions and integrate new facilities into existing environments. RAM’s construction management teams also collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders. This focus on proactive engagement ensures adherence to environmental protection standards and regulatory compliance, reinforcing RAM’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure and aligning with regional goals.
Sustainability and Climate Resilience
Due to climate change, infrastructure resilience has become a growing focus, reshaping the industry’s approach to both water and wastewater management. In this geographic region, enhancing infrastructure resilience also means addressing seismic risks and other natural hazards. Investing in resilient infrastructure and developing climate-adaptation strategies are crucial to ensuring that our utility systems can withstand the impacts of warmer, wetter winters combined with hotter, drier summers. These conditions create seasonal supply shortages and the need for enhanced treatment levels to maintain regulatory compliance and meet water quality objectives. In addition, the increasing frequency and duration of power outages necessitates additional standby power capability at treatment facilities and throughout the distribution system.
Designing infrastructure for the next 100 years requires balancing sustainability with cost-effectiveness. In Tim’s view, project teams must adopt a “source-to-tap” future-proofing approach that considers both natural and built assets. This involves developing adaptable solutions that can be expanded or modified to withstand the impacts of a changing climate while addressing the combined challenges of aging infrastructure and environmental uncertainty. Key resilience strategies include enhancing treatment capabilities, adding system redundancy, ensuring backup power availability, and conducting scenario-based planning for potential future stressors. To avoid the risk of costly over- or under-building, project teams should evaluate a range of planning scenarios for probable low-, moderate-, and high-stress outcomes.
Although replacing aging infrastructure can come with significant capital costs, Tim emphasizes that investing in sustainable solutions offers long-term social and environmental benefits. This could involve, for example, upgrading treatment systems to protect public health or replacing deteriorating watermains with purpose-built tunnels designed to withstand seismic forces and other natural hazards. While such investments can be expensive, their long-term social and environmental benefits help justify the additional project costs.
RAM’s Commitment to Building Safe and Sustainability Infrastructure
As water infrastructure ages, proactive management, innovative construction, and future-proofing strategies become essential. RAM’s corporate mission is to create vibrant communities by building safe and sustainable infrastructure for future generations, an objective that directly aligns with building resilience in local infrastructure. Our team of experts excels at delivering solutions across the various sectors we service, and given that we live in the communities we serve, RAM is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of local utilities. Through expertise and commitment, we’re helping shape a resilient future for Canada’s water systems.