CIP Highlights

The Capital Improvements Program (CIP) proved to be a ground-breaking effort in the water utility industry of the United States. Throughout its development, CIP has continued to set numerous records.

Tunnel excavation
In 1996, crews working over a period of five straight days excavated 2,089 feet of the River Mountains Tunnel. Crews removed 492 feet of earth during a 24-hour tunnel excavation in February 1996. Both feats set records at the time they occurred.

Venturi Meter
The 180-inch diameter venturi meter installed at the Alfred Merritt Smith facility is large enough to drive a Suburban through. The venturi meter measures water entering the ozone treatment facility.

Underwater pipe
In 1998, SNWA installed the world's largest underwater concrete pressure pipe (12-foot diameter).

Ozone facilities
The ozone facilities at the River Mountains and Alfred Merritt Smith treatment facilities together form one of the largest ozonation operations in North America.

Sodium hypochlorite generation facility
The River Mountains Water Treatment Facility is home to one of the country's largest on-site sodium hypochlorite generation facilities.

Other highlights

• More than 1.5 million cubic yards of concrete/CLSM/grout poured
• More than 8.3 million cubic yards of earth dug up
• 13 pumping stations built
• 19 reservoirs and forebays built

Setting the bar in safety

Big construction projects often involve dangerous situations for workers. The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) established safety goals to help keep staff members and contractors healthy during any Capital Improvements Program construction.

Since construction began in 1995, SNWA has a recordable incidence rate of 4.07 — well below the national average of 6.0. We have a "days away from work" incidence rate of 1.16 — less than the national average of 2.2.

Of course, the most important reason to encourage safe working conditions is to keep workers healthy. In the heavy construction industry, companies save an estimated $6 per hour worked without an incident. More than 10.3 million man hours have been applied during the work of the Capital Improvements Program. By keeping their recordable incident rate down, our contractors' commitment to safety has saved lives, health and about $30 million.