OREM, Utah — For most Utahns, turning on the tap is second nature — but behind every glass of clean water lies a massive engineering effort. That effort was on full display Friday at the Don A. Christiansen Regional Water Treatment Plant in Orem, which serves as a critical hub for delivering safe, drinkable water to nearly 2 million residents across Utah and Salt Lake counties.
The Central Utah Water Conservancy District (CUWCD) hosted a guided tour of the facility for state and federal officials, including Congressman Mike Kennedy, offering an inside look at how mountain runoff becomes the clean water flowing into homes, schools, and businesses.
“We deliver water to about 2 million people from this plant,” said Gene Shawcroft, general manager of the CUWCD. “It’s one of the most important pieces of infrastructure in Utah’s water system.”
A Gravity-Powered System
Water begins its journey high in the Wasatch Mountains, flowing naturally through the Provo River and into the Orem treatment facility, where it undergoes advanced filtration and purification processes before entering the regional water supply.
“It’s pretty complicated — it takes a great deal of engineering,” said Congressman Kennedy during the tour. “We’re here at the mouth of Provo Canyon, and this seven-acre facility purifies water for more than a million people. That’s a remarkable engineering feat.”
The plant’s design relies heavily on gravity, reducing the need for mechanical pumping and allowing for greater energy efficiency — a critical advantage in large-scale water management.
Preparing for the Big One: Earthquake-Proofing Utah’s Lifeline
While the facility’s efficiency is impressive, officials say safety and resilience are their top priorities. A key section of the Provo Canyon pipeline, which runs near the Wasatch Fault Line, is being replaced to ensure continued operation during a major earthquake.
“The sections are very short, and each joint allows for expansion, contraction, and angular movement,” Shawcroft explained. “If there’s an earthquake and the ground shifts, the pipeline will be able to flex and move — keeping water flowing even during that period.”
The project involves replacing just over a mile of the pipeline with a seismically flexible design to minimize disruption in the event of a quake.
Building for Utah’s Future
Utah sits squarely in a seismic zone, and water infrastructure resilience is a growing concern for the state’s rapidly expanding population. Congressman Kennedy praised the proactive measures being taken, calling them a model for other states.
“We know these events are coming,” Kennedy said. “And for us as Utahns to be ready for that — that’s just how we do things here. We’re always looking to the future, making improvements now to be prepared for what’s ahead.”
As Utah continues to grow, water management will remain one of the state’s most pressing challenges. The Don A. Christiansen Regional Water Treatment Plant, first opened in 1987 and upgraded multiple times since, continues to stand at the heart of that mission — ensuring that when residents turn on their taps, clean water is always there.
