Operations and maintenance contract renewal strengthens focus on sustainability, innovation and seamless public-private collaboration

Jacobs has solidified its long-standing relationship with the City of Vancouver, Washington, by securing a five-year agreement to continue operating and maintaining the city’s wastewater infrastructure. This milestone builds on more than three decades of collaboration, dating back to the 1980s, during which Jacobs delivered engineering, design and construction services for key facilities like the Marine Park and Westside Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs). 

Over the past decade, Jacobs has operated and maintained the city’s WWTPs, leading transformative upgrades — including a multi-year modernization of the city’s supervisory control and data acquisition system — and collaborating on more than 70 energy-saving projects. This work has resulted in millions of dollars in rebates, reduced power consumption and optimized operations.

“The renewal reflects Jacobs’ consistent ability to deliver integrated operations, engineering and capital improvements that enhance system performance and sustainability,” says Vice President of Operations Paul Rheault. 

A new chapter in sustainable innovation

As the collaboration enters its next chapter, Jacobs and the city are focused on deepening their commitment to sustainability. Recent initiatives include the purchase of three new electric trucks for high-use operations and additional electric carts for the maintenance team. These upgrades not only reduce emissions but also reflect a shared dedication to being responsible stewards of public funding and infrastructure.

Collaboration built on trust and agility

The strength of this renewed agreement lies in the seamless collaboration between Jacobs and city staff. 

Functioning as an extension of the city, Jacobs manages day-to-day operations while proactively addressing future challenges. This adaptable approach allows city leaders to concentrate on strategic priorities, while Jacobs helps maintain regulatory compliance and ease operational burdens.

“From daily check-ins and planning sessions to shared costs, both teams operate as one, sharing insights, aligning goals and supporting each other’s growth. We’re actively integrating our operations, construction and engineering teams with city engineers to help build a more functional and future-ready workforce and deepen our positive impact on the community,” adds Paul.

Whether it’s thinking outside the box or simply asking, “What are you dealing with and how can we help?” Jacobs and the city continue to set a high bar for public-private partnerships in infrastructure operations.