News
Mesa Water Education Center: A Conversation with Board President Marice DePasquale
Butier Engineering sat down with Mesa Water District Board President Marice DePasquale to discuss the all-new Mesa Water Education Center — currently the only one of its kind in Orange County, giving it a unique regional role.
Butier delivered construction management and inspection services for this innovative facility, showcasing Mesa Water’s commitment to local groundwater conservation, community engagement, and future workforce development. Our construction management team, led by Project Manager Joe Blum and Lead Inspector Dustin Morton, CCM, made significant contributions to this exciting project.
Fast Facts About the Mesa Water Education Center:
- Co-located with Mesa Water Reliability Facility – where 12,000-year-old groundwater is pulled from a deep aquifer and treated through nanofiltration
- 100% Local Water Supply – only district in Orange County that meets all its water needs with local sources
- 20+ Interactive Exhibits – exploring local groundwater, treatment, and delivery
- Water-Wise Demonstration Garden – native plants and efficient landscaping techniques
- Redwood Theater – immersive film experience about ancient amber water, also known as “redwood tea”
- Mini Redwood Forest – misted grove planted in honor of the area’s prehistoric trees
- Career Exploration – inspiring the next generation of water professionals
Additional links to Mesa Water Education Center details: https://www.mesawater.org/community/mesa-water-education-center
The City of Manhattan Beach selects Butier for its Pacific Ave Sewer Lift Station Conversion to Gravity Line Project
Butier Engineering, Inc. is proud to partner with the City of Manhattan Beach to provide construction management and inspection services for the Pacific Avenue Sewer Lift Station Conversion to Gravity Line Project.
Originally constructed in the 1950s, the aging sewer lift station has reached the end of its service life. This vital infrastructure upgrade will convert the system to gravity flow, significantly reducing the risk of sewer spills and lowering operating and future capital replacement costs.
Key project highlights include:
- Installation of a new gravity pipeline, utilizing primarily trenchless technology
- Multi-phase construction with varying manhole sizes and depths
- Connection to the existing LA County Sanitation District sewer gravity line
- Street and sidewalk restoration
- Decommissioning of the existing lift station upon project completion
We’re excited to collaborate with:
- PACE Advanced Water Engineering (Design Consultant)
- Environmental Construction, Inc. (Contractor)
- Ninyo & Moore, A SOCOTEC Company (Soils & Materials Testing)
Butier Partners with OCWD on Bond Basin Slope Repair
Butier Engineering is proud to partner with the Orange County Water District (OCWD) to provide construction management and inspection services for the in the City of Orange.
Originally a former gravel pit, OCWD converted Bond Basin into a groundwater conservation basin in the early 1990s. This essential project will address erosion-related slope and storm drain issues, enhance stormwater management, and help safeguard ’ .
We’re proud to collaborate with:
- ENGEO – Engineer of Record
- Innovative Construction Solutions – Contractor
- Ninyo & Moore, A SOCOTEC Company – Soils & Materials Testing
Dana Point Harbor Celebrates Grand Opening of New Parking Structure
Congratulations to all project partners on the opening of the new Dana Point Harbor parking structure! Butier Engineering is proud to have collaborated with South Coast Water District to provide construction management and inspection services for the Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Phase 2 Project. Phase 2 is part of a broader revitalization effort at the harbor, which the County of Orange is leading in partnership with the Dana Point Harbor Partners, LLC (DPHP).
The scope of work for the Phase 2 project included various water and sewer improvements to support the development of the new parking structure and enhance the overall harbor experience:
Water Improvements
- Replacing outdated ACP pipes with PVC & ductile iron pipe
- Adding 7 water service laterals and 4 fire hydrants
- Installing temporary water lines for service continuity
- Coordinating utility relocation with SDG&E
Sewer Improvements
- Installing over 665 LF of new PVC sewer pipe
- Adding new sewer manholes & lateral connections
- Removing old 12” VCP sewer line
- Completing surface pavement repairs
OCWD and City of Tustin Celebrate Completion of PFAS Treatment Plant
Watch the project highlight video to see how collaboration, innovation, and dedication between the Orange County Water District, City of Tustin, and the State Water Resources Control Board came together to deliver clean, safe, and reliable drinking water to the Tustin community!
We’re proud to celebrate the successful completion of the Tustin PFAS Treatment Plant — a vital step in ensuring that when families turn on the tap, they can trust their water is clean and ready to drink. This project reflects a shared commitment to protecting public health and securing a clean water future.
Butier Engineering was honored to provide construction management and inspection services for this essential infrastructure effort. We’re grateful to have collaborated with these outstanding partners:
- Jacobs Engineering – Design Engineer
- Caliagua, Inc. – Treatment Plant Contractor
- Ferreira Construction Co., Inc. – Pipeline Subcontractor
- Ninyo & Moore, A SOCOTEC Company – Geotechnical & Materials
Standalone Intake Modifications Project Completion
We are excited to share that the final phase of the $182-million Standalone Intake Modifications Project at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant is now complete! The project features an innovative system of 11 seawater screens supported by a newly constructed concrete access bridge. This cutting-edge design significantly enhances the protection of marine life by reducing intake water velocity and minimizing the size of the mesh opening.
At Butier, we were honored to contribute to this essential project by providing a range of construction management services, including:
- Resident engineering
- QA/QC management
- Field inspection
- Schedule review
- Field engineering
- Cost control
A big thank you to our talented team members—Matt Harvie, Kenneth Stiles, Bruce Phillips, Casey Harris, and Bryan Wilson—and to Kiewit-Shea II for bringing this vision to life.
️ Watch the project completion video below and see the achievement in action!
Completion of Murphy Reservoir Replacement Project
Congratulations to the City of Whittier/Whittier Utility Authority on completing the $6.5 million Murphy Reservoir Replacement Project. The 2.31-million-gallon reservoir is a critical infrastructure investment that provides the citizens of Whittier with increased water reliability and fire protection. Butier Engineering was honored to be a part of the team, which included Gateway Pacific Contractors (General Contractor), Cannon (Designer), and Ninyo & Moore (Special Inspection & Materials Testing). Butier’s construction management team included Project Director Mark Butier, Resident Engineer Stephen White, Senior Inspector Bart Crawford, Document Controls Byran Wilson, and Supplemental Support Acxel Gutierrez.
Faces of Butier – Matt Harvie
Meet Matt Harvie, a Resident Engineer at Butier Engineering. Before joining the Butier family, Matt proudly served as an officer in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps. He has managed several projects throughout San Diego County including the $182-million Carlsbad Desalination Plant Standalone Intake Modifications Project. Matt’s strong work ethic ensures that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and consistently exceed client expectations. He exemplifies the core values of Butier employees: Experience, Integrity, and Excellence.
Breaching of Pond 15 at South San Diego Bay
Exciting news from the Otay River Estuary Restoration Project!
On February 12, 2025, tidal flow returned to the South San Diego Bay wetlands for the first time in 100 years with the breaching of Pond 15. Channelside Water Resources and project partners, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the San Diego County Water Authority, celebrated this major milestone and the successful completion of the earthwork phase.
Butier Engineering, Inc. is proud to have played a role in this historic restoration, providing construction management and QA/QC inspection services. The project is a big win for the environment and the local community. 
Project Video: Take a Tour of EOCWD’s New Administrative Building
After 40 years of operating from a double-wide trailer, the East Orange County Water District staff are comfortably settled into their brand-new District Administrative Building. We sat down with District Engineering Manager Jeff Smyth, P.E., to discuss the District’s goals and the logistics surrounding the District Administration Building Replacement Project. Take a virtual tour of their new “home away from home” and discover how this new space enhances their mission of providing hometown service to customers in Tustin and North Tustin.
Butier Engineering was proud to partner with the District, Snyder Langston (Design-Builder), Ware Malcomb (Architect), and Cheryl Kaye Design Studio (Interior Designer) on this essential project. Butier’s team included Project Director Mark Butier, Construction Manager Joe Blum, Inspector Dustin Morton, CCM, CWI, and Field Engineer Ryan Weir.
For more information, please click on the “See Project Details” link below.