Clean drinking water: Forward-thinking design solves unique Great Lakes challenges
March 09, 2026
Share
{
"description": "",
"ideasArticleShareLabel": "Share",
"networks": [
"linkedin",
"twitter",
"email"
]
}
{
"text": "
What does it take to deliver clean drinking water from one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world? It begins with thoughtful engineering, often out of sight and below the surface.
That¡¯s what happened in the City of Evanston, Illinois. It¡¯s a suburb just north of Chicago and provides drinking water for nearly 500,000 people. One of its raw water intakes was nearing the end of its useful life and needed replacement. Our team used their local knowledge and engineering acumen to design a new, resilient raw water intake in Lake Michigan.?
From hydraulic analysis to design for constructability, the project needed an integrated team to tackle the challenges of engineering in the Great Lakes. This included specialized coordination for underwater construction engineering, as well as frazil ice and quagga mussel mitigation.
In the end, our work showed how aging water utilities can be reimagined for the future. By developing new approaches to intake design, we¡¯re protecting water quality and improving reliability for generations to come.?
" }Share
{
"description": "",
"ideasArticleShareLabel": "Share",
"networks": [
"linkedin",
"twitter",
"email"
]
}
-
Lila is a civil engineer who supports community access to safe, reliable water and helps protect homes from flooding. Her experience includes hydraulic modeling and design of water and stormwater systems.
Contact Lila -
Brian is a senior principal and project technical leader with over 25 years of experience in water and wastewater plant design, pump station design, and construction administration.
Contact Brian
{
"headline": "Related Videos",
"link": {
"text":"View More Videos",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/watch\/innovation\u002Dtechnology.html"
},
"newTab": false,
"uuid": "1bc7f1e7\u002Dc3f3\u002D4bb6\u002D96b3\u002D29ad17778a85",
"themeClass": "home-related-items-2",
"tabs": [
{
"headline": "",
"active": true,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 0 - From pilot to practice: Derisking water innovation",
"link": {
"text":"From pilot to practice: Derisking water innovation",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/from\u002Dpilot\u002Dto\u002Dpractice\u002Dderisking\u002Dwater\u002Dinnovation.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/derisking\u002Dwater\u002Dinnovation.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "From pilot to practice: Derisking water innovation",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 1 - Clean drinking water: Forward-thinking design solves unique Great Lakes challenges",
"link": {
"text":"Clean drinking water: Forward\u002Dthinking design solves unique Great Lakes challenges",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/clean\u002Ddrinking\u002Dwater\u002Dforward\u002Dthinking\u002Ddesign\u002Dsolves\u002Dunique\u002Dgreat\u002Dlakes\u002Dchallenges.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/clean\u002Ddrinking\u002Dwater\u002Dspark.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Clean drinking water: Forward\u002Dthinking design solves unique Great Lakes challenges",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 2 - CEO Gord Johnston on ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½¡ªand our impact on the world",
"link": {
"text":"CEO Gord Johnston on ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½¡ªand our impact on the world",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/ceo\u002Dgord\u002Djohnston\u002Don\u002Dstantec\u002Dand\u002Dour\u002Dimpact\u002Don\u002Dthe\u002Dworld.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/gord\u002Djohnston\u002D2026\u002Dceo\u002Dvideo.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "CEO Gord Johnston on ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½¡ªand our impact on the world",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 3 - Shaping a cleaner future through better air quality monitoring",
"link": {
"text":"Shaping a cleaner future through better air quality monitoring",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/shaping\u002Dcleaner\u002Dfuture\u002Dthrough\u002Dbetter\u002Dair\u002Dquality\u002Dmonitoring.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/spark\u002Dpromo\u002Dair\u002Dquality\u002Dmonitoring.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Shaping a cleaner future through better air quality monitoring",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 4 - I¡¯m an Innovator: Using technology to help communities predict debris flows",
"link": {
"text":"I¡¯m an Innovator: Using technology to help communities predict debris flows",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/i\u002Dam\u002Dan\u002Dinnovator\u002Dusing\u002Dtechnology\u002Dto\u002Dhelp\u002Dcommunities\u002Dpredict\u002Ddebris\u002Dflows.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/innovator\u002Ddebrisflow\u002Drick\u002Dguthrie.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "I¡¯m an Innovator: Using technology to help communities predict debris flows",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 5 - The power answer: Clean, stable energy in every community",
"link": {
"text":"The power answer: Clean, stable energy in every community",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/the\u002Dpower\u002Danswer\u002Dclean\u002Dstable\u002Denergy\u002Din\u002Devery\u002Dcommunity.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/jag\u002Dsingh\u002Dpower\u002Danswer.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "The power answer: Clean, stable energy in every community",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 6 - I¡¯m an Innovator: Shaping policy discussions around the future of mobility",
"link": {
"text":"I¡¯m an Innovator: Shaping policy discussions around the future of mobility",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/i\u002Dam\u002Dan\u002Dinnovator\u002Dshaping\u002Dpolicy\u002Ddiscussions\u002Daround\u002Dfuture\u002Dof\u002Dmobility.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/innovator\u002Dshaping\u002Dpolicy\u002Ddiscssions\u002Dfuture\u002Dmobility.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "I¡¯m an Innovator: Shaping policy discussions around the future of mobility",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 7 - Innovation in action: Empowering resilience through debris flow prediction",
"link": {
"text":"Innovation in action: Empowering resilience through debris flow prediction",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/innovation\u002Din\u002Daction\u002Dempowering\u002Dresilience\u002Dthrough\u002Ddebris\u002Dflow\u002Dprediction.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/spark\u002Dsafer\u002Dthrough\u002Dscience\u002Dpromo.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Innovation in action: Empowering resilience through debris flow prediction",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 8 - ?Redefining the future: How a spark ignites change",
"link": {
"text":"?Redefining the future: How a spark ignites change",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/redefining\u002Dthe\u002Dfuture\u002Dhow\u002Da\u002Dspark\u002Dignites\u002Dchange.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/spark\u002Dinnovation\u002Dbrand\u002Dvideo\u002Dcollage.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "?Redefining the future: How a spark ignites change",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 9 - Innovation Insights: How to launch novel ideas in mining technology",
"link": {
"text":"Innovation Insights: How to launch novel ideas in mining technology",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/innovation\u002Dinsights\u002Dhow\u002Dto\u002Dlaunch\u002Dnovel\u002Dideas\u002Dmining\u002Dtechnology.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/innovation\u002Dinsights\u002Dcody\u002Dryckman.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Innovation Insights: How to launch novel ideas in mining technology",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 10 - Innovation Insights: Building new business through innovation",
"link": {
"text":"Innovation Insights: Building new business through innovation",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/innovation\u002Dinsights\u002Dbuilding\u002Dnew\u002Dbusiness\u002Dthrough\u002Dinnovation.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/innovation\u002Dinsights\u002Dangie\u002Dbates.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Innovation Insights: Building new business through innovation",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 11 - Innovation Insights: Carbon capture innovation in the fight against climate change",
"link": {
"text":"Innovation Insights: Carbon capture innovation in the fight against climate change",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/iInnovation\u002Dinsights\u002Dcarbon\u002Dcapture\u002Dinnovation\u002Dfight\u002Dagainst\u002Dclimate\u002Dchange.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/niraj\u002Draythatha\u002Dcarbon\u002Dcapture\u002Dinnovation .jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Innovation Insights: Carbon capture innovation in the fight against climate change",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 12 - What are the flood-mitigation challenges for different-sized communities?",
"link": {
"text":"What are the flood\u002Dmitigation challenges for different\u002Dsized communities?",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/what\u002Dare\u002Dflood\u002Dmitigation\u002Dchallenges\u002Dfor\u002Ddifferent\u002Dsized\u002Dcommunities.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/flood\u002Dmitigation\u002Dchallenges\u002Dcommunities.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "What are the flood\u002Dmitigation challenges for different\u002Dsized communities?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": false,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 13 - ",
"link": {
"text":"",
"url":""
},
"promoImage": "",
"overwriteHeadline": "",
"overwriteSubhead": "",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 14 - A billion decisions: Engineering better projects",
"link": {
"text":"A billion decisions: Engineering better projects",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2024\/a\u002Dbillion\u002Ddecisions\u002Dengineering\u002Dbetter\u002Dprojects.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/tariq\u002Damlani\u002D242836.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "A billion decisions: Engineering better projects",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 15 - ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ and BBC StoryWorks: AI-driven flood modeling and its impact on flood prediction",
"link": {
"text":"²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ and BBC StoryWorks: AI\u002Ddriven flood modeling and its impact on flood prediction",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2024\/stantec\u002Dbbc\u002DStoryworks\u002Dai\u002Ddriven\u002Dflood\u002Dmodeling\u002Dimpact\u002Don\u002Dflood\u002Dprediction.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/flood\u002Dpredictor\u002Dbbc\u002Dstoryworks.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ and BBC StoryWorks: AI\u002Ddriven flood modeling and its impact on flood prediction",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 16 - Innovation Insights: Exercising discipline in the world of hydrogen energy",
"link": {
"text":"Innovation Insights: Exercising discipline in the world of hydrogen energy",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2024\/innovation\u002Dinsights\u002Dexercising\u002Ddiscipline\u002Dworld\u002Dof\u002Dhydrogen\u002Denergy.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/innovation\u002Dinsights\u002Dnathan\u002Dashcroft.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Innovation Insights: Exercising discipline in the world of hydrogen energy",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": false,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 17 - ",
"link": {
"text":"",
"url":""
},
"promoImage": "",
"overwriteHeadline": "",
"overwriteSubhead": "",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 18 - Innovation Insights: Small modular reactors and trusting the process",
"link": {
"text":"Innovation Insights: Small modular reactors and trusting the process",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2024\/innovation\u002Dinsights\u002Dsmall\u002Dmodular\u002Dreactors\u002Dtrusting\u002Dprocess.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/innovation\u002Dinsights\u002Djag\u002Dsingh.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Innovation Insights: Small modular reactors and trusting the process",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 19 - Designing Canada¡¯s largest solar farm",
"link": {
"text":"Designing Canada¡¯s largest solar farm",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2024\/designing\u002Dcanadas\u002Dlargest\u002Dsolar\u002Dfarm.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/travers\u002Dsolar\u002Dfacility\u002D2.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Designing Canada¡¯s largest solar farm",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 20 - Innovation Insights: How does market research impact innovation?",
"link": {
"text":"Innovation Insights: How does market research impact innovation?",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2024\/innovation\u002Dinsights\u002Dhow\u002Ddoes\u002Dmarket\u002Dresearch\u002Dimpact\u002Dinnovation.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/innovation\u002Dinsights\u002Dkim\u002Dhubbert.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Innovation Insights: How does market research impact innovation?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 21 - I'm an Innovator: Automating the design of solar facilities",
"link": {
"text":"I\x27m an Innovator: Automating the design of solar facilities",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2024\/i\u002Dam\u002Dan\u002Dinnovator\u002Dautomating\u002Ddesign\u002Dof\u002Dsolar\u002Dfacilities.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/innovator\u002Dautomating\u002Ddesign\u002Dsolar\u002Dfacilities.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "I\x27m an Innovator: Automating the design of solar facilities",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 22 - I'm an Innovator: Using AI to classify loud noises at construction sites",
"link": {
"text":"I\x27m an Innovator: Using AI to classify loud noises at construction sites",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2024\/i\u002Dam\u002Dan\u002Dinnovator\u002Dusing\u002Dai\u002Dto\u002Dclassify\u002Dloud\u002Dnoises\u002Dat\u002Dconstruction\u002Dsites.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/building\u002Dconstruction\u002Dadobestock\u002D300135186.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "I\x27m an Innovator: Using AI to classify loud noises at construction sites",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 23 - A better way to move people and goods at airports? Autonomous vehicles",
"link": {
"text":"A better way to move people and goods at airports? Autonomous vehicles",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2023\/a\u002Dbetter\u002Dway\u002Dto\u002Dmove\u002Dpeople\u002Dgoods\u002Dat\u002Dairports\u002Dautonomous\u002Dvehicles.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/airport\u002Dadobestock\u002D77657864.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "A better way to move people and goods at airports? Autonomous vehicles",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
}
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
}
]
}