The Troutdale Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) has been serving the community since it was placed into operation in November 2001. While the facility has not outgrown its treatment plant, the staff's day-to-day operations have outgrown the administrative building that was built 25 years ago.
Project Background
The original building was intentionally designed as a small, efficient facility, with a single shared workstation serving seven operators, two supervisor offices, and limited support space. Since that time, wastewater operations have become significantly more complex, and desktop computing is now an essential, dedicated tool for each operator.
Due to these evolving requirements, staff have been forced to add workstations wherever space is available — including the lab, control room, hallways, and conference room — resulting in overcrowded, inefficient, and substandard working conditions with no remaining capacity for growth. The break room is routinely repurposed as a conference space, disrupting staff breaks and daily operations.
Additionally, the facility does not provide adequate security for critical control systems and network infrastructure, creating operational risk. Parking is also insufficient to support both staff vehicles and City fleet needs. Collectively, these limitations constrain operational effectiveness and underscore the need for facility expansion.
Project Goals
This project will correct these deficiencies, right-size the administrative building and parking, and restore full functionality to the nerve center of the sewer system. Specifically, the project will deliver:
Operator's Office — A "bullpen" style workspace with capacity for nine individual desks
Conference Room & Break Room — Both will be restored as separate spaces for their proper and intended functions
Supervisor Offices — Individual offices will be maintained
Secure Equipment Rooms — Dedicated rooms will be created for sensitive control systems and network equipment, in accordance with cybersecurity standards for utilities, all behind security doors pre-configured for a future card-lock access system
Expanded Parking — A second parking lot will be built behind the expanded admin building to provide much-needed space for staff and fleet vehicles
Project Timeline
October 2023 — Design & construction management contract (Deca Architecture)
January 14, 2026 — Construction contract (First Cascade Corp)
August 2026 — Estimated completion
Further Information
Please erika.armstrong [at] troutdaleoregon.gov (contact Chief Operator Erika Armstrong) or call 503-492-3289 for more information.
