Jacobs to Operate Walla Walla’s Wastewater Facilities for Another Five Years

In 2000, the Walla Walla, Washington, City Council sought a public-private partner to manage its wastewater facilities while ensuring environmental compliance and savings. Jacobs was selected and has served as an extension of the Public Works Department since. A quarter of a century later, Jacobs was unanimously awarded a five-year contract renewal to continue operating and maintaining the city’s 9.6-million gallon per day wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and managing biosolids land application and an industrial pretreatment program. 

“This new agreement reaffirms a 25-year collaboration between the city and Jacobs,” says Jacobs Northwest Geographic Director of Operations Shawn Moffitt. “Our open relationship with the city allows us to better manage the facilities and serve Walla Walla’s residents. We look forward to continuing our efforts to enhance the community we call home.”

A partnership built on collaboration 

The city has benefited from Jacobs’ technical and operations experience from the start. The operations team has provided reliable service, supported short- and long-term project planning, responded quickly and effectively to citizen requests and applied numerous innovative approaches to improve services.

Shawn adds, “At the heart of this relationship is an understanding of the value Jacobs adds to the city’s strategic direction. This trust provides a seamless integration between the city and Jacobs to achieve operational efficiencies and ensure resiliency of the facilities.”

“We greatly appreciate the long-term partnership with Jacobs, their teamwork approach to solving problems and how they act as an extension of city staff,” comments Walla Walla Public Works Director Ki Bealey.

Investing in the community

As stewards of the wastewater facilities, Jacobs prioritizes protecting the public health and the environment. We also engage with the local community by hosting plant tours for local college students and developing curriculum contributions for Walla Walla Community College’s Wastewater Operator program. “These educational activities allow the residents we serve to understand how wastewater treatment is not only done but also how it impacts the community,” says Shawn.

Award-winning safety culture

Central to the team’s success, though, is their impressive safety performance. The team completes more than 255 hours of safety training annually to maintain a safe working environment.

“In Walla Walla, safety isn’t just a program or team — it’s how we do the job,” adds Shawn. This focus has led to higher employee morale and productivity. The city even modeled its own safety program after Jacobs and has adopted Jacobs’ safety practices across departments.

Under Jacobs’ leadership, the WWTP received Occupational Safety and Health Administration Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) certification in 2009 and was recertified in 2012, 2019 and 2025. VPP status recognizes employers and employees who demonstrate exemplary achievement in the prevention and control of health and safety hazards, and the development, implementation and continuous improvement of their health and safety program.

The Walla Walla WWTP is one of 19 sites in Washington with this designation. “We credit our 16-year VPP status to the innovative ideas generated by staff. They drive our safety program’s success,” praises Shawn.

The team’s dedication to safety has also earned them numerous industry safety awards, including the George W. Burke Jr., Safety Award from the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association.

Continuing to deliver excellence

Jacobs’ Operations Management and Facilities Services practice offers a full suite of custom-tailored operations, maintenance and facility-management services for water and wastewater utilities, public agencies and private industry nationwide. With the renewed contract, Jacobs remains committed to delivering safe, efficient and sustainable wastewater management for the Walla Walla community.