Program Management in Action: Building Resilient Water Supplies

Across the country, utilities are advancing some of the most complex water supply programs in their history. On major projects, the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) and Dallas Water Utilities (DWU), the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) and New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) each faced challenges that went well beyond design and construction. By applying a program management approach, these water providers kept projects moving, adapted to changing conditions and strengthened their ability to serve their communities. Freese and Nichols partnered with the agencies as an extension of staff, helping align their long-term visions with the daily demands of delivery.

Bois d’Arc Lake: Generational Water Supply

NTMWD led the development of Bois d’Arc Lake, the first major reservoir in the state in nearly 30 years and one of the most significant water supply projects in the region’s history. NTMWD’s vision went far beyond a single facility. The program required every element of a modern water system: a reservoir created by a 90-foot-tall dam, an intake tower, multiple pump stations, 35 miles of raw water pipeline, a new water treatment plant, roadway relocations and more than 17,000 acres of environmental mitigation.

To deliver a program of this magnitude, NTMWD used a program management framework that connected permitting, design, construction and operations into a coordinated effort. Working with Freese and Nichols to oversee the program, NTMWD brought together dozens of local, state and federal agencies, managed compliance requirements under some of the most rigorous environmental standards in Texas and guided the sequencing of construction across multiple interdependent projects involving multiple contractors.

Program management also shaped long-term operations. NTMWD directed the creation of a Lake Operations Plan, developed through workshops with district staff, that now serves as a practical guide for day-to-day functions. The plan covers raw water facilities, flood and drought management, aquatic plant control, debris removal and interagency coordination. It also gives staff tools for training and documenting operational activities, strengthening NTMWD’s capacity to manage the reservoir for generations.

Today, Bois d’Arc Lake provides up to 82 million gallons per day to more than 2 million people. It stands as a model of how program management can transform a complex set of projects into a unified program that delivers not only infrastructure, but also long-term reliability, environmental stewardship and operational readiness.

Integrated Pipeline: A Lean, Flexible Program Model

The Integrated Pipeline (IPL) Program, pursued jointly by TRWD and DWU, is a multidecade investment in water supply resilience. The program includes almost 150 miles of large-diameter pipeline, multiple pump stations, tunnels, reservoirs and interconnections across North Central Texas.

TRWD initially engaged a large program management firm, but the model proved costly and less effective. The district turned to Freese and Nichols, a long-standing partner, to apply a leaner approach. Together, they implemented a “Right Sizing with the Right People” approach that centered on a lean leadership team and scaled staff and expertise as needed. TRWD operations personnel were trained and embedded in the field, giving them direct knowledge for both construction oversight and long-term operations.

Freese and Nichols helped TRWD establish uniform program standards and created IPL Net, a SharePoint-based project management system that centralized submittals, record drawings and real-time data for use by all contractors and consultants. Value engineering workshops produced significant savings, while innovative procurement strategies, including competitive sealed proposals and direct vendor negotiations, reduced equipment costs by millions.

The results highlight TRWD’s leadership. Contractor change orders accounted for less than 0.02% of the original contract value, and the program earned national recognition as the first pipeline in the U.S. to receive an Envision Platinum Award for sustainability. Beyond new water supply capacity, TRWD created a delivery model that blends flexibility, performance and resilience. That model is now being studied as a framework adaptable to other utilities, including the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, demonstrating how a scalable program management structure can meet diverse regional water supply needs.

New Braunfels Utilities: Managing Growth Through Program Management

New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) serves one of the fastest-growing communities in the country. To keep pace with rapid residential, commercial and industrial development, NBU built a program management framework to deliver more than $100 million in capital projects each year across its water and wastewater systems.

Since 2016, NBU has partnered with Freese and Nichols to strengthen that framework through staff augmentation, project management and construction oversight. Together, the teams have implemented an integrated capital delivery strategy that uses resources from both organizations to manage more than 70 active projects.

Program management tools have become central to NBU’s success. Freese and Nichols developed a custom Program Management Information System using Power BI to track

issues, risks, schedules and financials, giving NBU leaders real-time insight into program performance. In the field, FNiManager tracks submittals and construction progress, simplifying coordination between NBU and their contractors.

NBU’s leadership has extended beyond delivery. The utility continues to refine their long-term capital plan, pursue new funding opportunities, including expansion of the Trinity Water Treatment Plant, and maintain strong oversight through ongoing construction management and inspection services.

Now in its third multiyear extension, the partnership reflects NBU’s commitment to proactive planning and disciplined program management. By combining internal expertise with embedded support, NBU continues to deliver critical infrastructure efficiently while preparing for sustained growth.

Building Confidence and Resilience for the Future

NTMWD and DWU, TRWD and NBU show how program management turns complex challenges into reliable water supply solutions. Freese and Nichols supported and adapted as part of each team, helping connect long-term vision with day-to-day delivery. These programs show how when utilities lead with a clear framework, program management delivers infrastructure and strengthens confidence and resilience for the future.

Why Program Management Matters

Major water supply projects require navigating regulations, funding, multiple contractors and long-term operations. Program management provides the framework to coordinate all these moving parts. For clients, that means steady leadership, flexibility when challenges arise and confidence that the outcomes will serve communities for generations.