Detroit Awards $100M Water Upgrade to NORESCO

The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) has awarded NORESCO a $100 million contract to lead the second phase of a major water infrastructure upgrade in Detroit. At the core of this initiative is a progressive design-build approach that integrates planning, design, and construction into one continuous workflow.

Unlike traditional bid-build methods, this model fosters real-time collaboration between the utility, the designers, and the builders from day one. For GLWA, that’s translated into faster execution, cost predictability, and more responsive design choices that reflect operational realities—not just theoretical plans.

This partnership evolved from a preliminary energy audit that NORESCO conducted at GLWA facilities. That initial engagement organically expanded into design work for Phase 1, ultimately leading to the comprehensive scope now underway in Phase 2. The process illustrates how early value delivery can mature into long-term, trust-based collaboration on high-impact infrastructure projects.

The continuity also helps ensure that every stage of the project aligns with GLWA’s operational goals and long-term vision, rather than piecing together multiple vendors with conflicting priorities.

Modernizing Detroit’s Water Systems for Resilience and Reuse

At the heart of the Phase 2 project is the replacement of a 50-year-old final effluent pump station at Detroit’s Water Resource Recovery Facility. The new infrastructure will support 60 million gallons per day of capacity—engineered to serve both current and projected non-potable water demands.

We are pleased to continue serving GLWA and its objective to match resource use to demand needs while improving GLWA’s facilities, increasing reliability and reducing operating costs. The infrastructure upgrade project, especially modernizing the nearly fifty-year-old SFE pump station, addresses this objective through equipment rehabilitation and system resilience improvements.” ~ Troy Walters, President and CEO, NORESCO

One of the standout features of this upgrade is the introduction of a 4 million gallon per day water reuse system. This filtered and disinfected stream will offset the facility’s internal use of potable water, a move that supports circular water management and reduces stress on municipal water supplies.

The shift enables GLWA to meet most of its internal process needs using treated reuse water, with potable water acting as a backup. This change enhances sustainability performance and delivers cost advantages and operational stability, especially during peak demand or water scarcity scenarios.

NORESCO’s work supports GLWA's broader goal of aligning water resource use with actual demand, while reducing long-term operating expenses and enhancing reliability. The authority serves 40% of Michigan’s population with drinking water and 30% with wastewater treatment—making this modernization vital for both present needs and future regional expansion.

As part of Carrier Global Corporation, NORESCO has extensive experience in complex infrastructure upgrades, with a portfolio that includes efficiency solutions across 10,000+ facilities. Its work has led to significant environmental benefits, including reducing carbon emissions by over 25 million metric tons.