Valley Sanitary District Collection System Infrastructure Program

Harris & Associates has partnered with Valley Sanitary District to deliver comprehensive program and design management services for the District’s Collection System Infrastructure Program in Indio, California. This 12-year initiative encompasses approximately 246 miles of sewer pipeline, with a total construction value of approximately $57 million.

The District selected Harris to serve as both program manager and design manager, providing integrated leadership from planning through construction. The program is focused on modernizing aging infrastructure, strengthening regulatory compliance, and advancing resilient, cost-effective wastewater solutions for the Indio community.

Core Elements

As part of this multi-year initiative, Harris provided:

• Development of the capital program scope, prioritization strategy, and budget framework
• Engineering design for sewer rehabilitation and new pipeline installations
• Preparation of construction documents and technical specifications
• Constructability reviews and value engineering to optimize project delivery
• Environmental and water resources engineering support
• Development and maintenance of a comprehensive master program schedule

The program addresses approximately 246 miles of collection system infrastructure, ensuring long-term system reliability while minimizing disruption to the community.

Beyond the Blueprints

Delivering a 12-year infrastructure program requires more than technical design — it demands strategic coordination, transparency, and institutional strengthening. Harris’ services include:

• Managing stakeholder engagement and District coordination
• Preparing detailed status reports and updating program findings
• Establishing quality assurance and quality control procedures
• Implementing GIS-integrated asset management tools
• Developing a public-facing web dashboard to enhance transparency and community awareness
• Supporting knowledge transfer and best practices to strengthen internal District capabilities

Through this collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, Harris is helping Valley Sanitary District address the challenges of aging infrastructure and evolving regulatory requirements while building a resilient wastewater system designed to serve the community for decades to come.