WHB Engineers https://whbengineers.com/ Fri, 06 Mar 2026 23:48:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://whbengineers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-WHB_favicon-32x32.png WHB Engineers https://whbengineers.com/ 32 32 Engineering Resilience: How Modern Water Infrastructure Protects Our Communities https://whbengineers.com/engineering-resilience-how-modern-water-infrastructure-protects-our-communities/ Fri, 06 Mar 2026 23:40:57 +0000 https://whbengineers.com/?p=4642 Water infrastructure is largely invisible — until it fails. WHB Engineers breaks down how modern engineering approaches, from seismic retrofits to tank rehabilitation, are helping cities stay ahead of aging assets and build long-term resilience.

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WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

Engineering Resilience: How Modern Water Infrastructure Protects Our Communities

Water infrastructure is largely invisible — until it fails.

When a reservoir shows signs of distress or a pipeline breaks, the systems we rarely think about quickly become urgent. At WHB Engineers, we believe resilience isn’t just about reacting to failure. It’s about building and maintaining systems that can quietly do their job for decades to come.

Because when water infrastructure performs well, it protects everything else.

Aging Assets, Rising Demands

Throughout California and the West, many municipalities are relying on water infrastructure built in the mid-20th century. Reservoirs, tanks, and pipelines have performed beyond expectations, but age and wear are catching up.

At the same time, water systems now face greater demands. Seismic vulnerability, prolonged droughts, increased population, and evolving water quality standards are all putting pressure on infrastructure that was never designed for today’s realities.

City leaders are left with a complex task: keep essential water systems running safely and reliably, while balancing costs, compliance, and long-term sustainability.

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Aging Infrastructure

Mid-20th century tanks and reservoirs reaching end of design life

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Greater Demands

Drought, seismic risk, population growth, and tighter water quality standards

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Complex Trade-offs

Balancing safety, compliance, costs, and long-term sustainability

WHB's Engineering Approach to Water Resilience

Resilience isn’t a single fix — it’s a mindset applied across systems, components, and communities. At WHB, we specialize in helping cities take a proactive, strategic approach to upgrading and protecting their water infrastructure.

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Seismic assessments and retrofits

Evaluating structural vulnerabilities and designing upgrades that protect against earthquakes and other natural hazards.

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Tank and reservoir rehabilitation

Restoring prestressed and welded steel tanks through structural repair, coating replacement, and access improvements.

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Condition surveys and replacement programs

Taking stock of current assets, and catching problems before they become big issues.

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System-wide planning

Using modeling, asset condition analysis, and lifecycle cost evaluations to support phased investments that extend infrastructure lifespan and service reliability.

Example: Reservoir No. 2, City of Upland

A recent project in the City of Upland shows this approach in action. WHB Engineers was engaged to rehabilitate Reservoir No. 2, a prestressed concrete tank that plays a key role in the city’s water distribution network.

We began with a thorough condition assessment, followed by design and implementation of structural repairs, seismic upgrades, and internal re-coating. The project was completed while maintaining system operations, giving the city renewed reliability without the disruption of full replacement.

It’s one of several projects where targeted upgrades delivered long-term community value.

What We Delivered

  • ✅ Thorough condition assessment of existing prestressed concrete tank
  • ✅ Structural repairs and seismic upgrades
  • ✅ Full internal re-coating for extended service life
  • ✅ Zero service interruption — system kept running throughout construction
  • ✅ Long-term community value through targeted, cost-effective upgrades

Beyond Infrastructure: Why Water Resilience Matters

Water infrastructure isn’t just concrete and pipework. It’s the foundation of public health, fire protection, economic development, and everyday life.

At WHB Engineers, we see every tank, reservoir, and pipeline as a critical link in a much larger system — one that must be built not only to function, but to last. That’s why our focus is on long-term performance, risk reduction, and thoughtful reinvestment.

“A reliable water system isn’t just a utility — it’s a promise to the people who rely on it.”

— WHB Engineers

Want to talk about what water resilience could look like in your city?

We’d be happy to help. WHB Engineers partners with agencies to strengthen the systems that keep communities running.

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From Groundwater to the Tap:  The Hidden Engineering Behind Reliable Water Supply https://whbengineers.com/from-groundwater-to-the-tap-the-hidden-engineering-behind-reliable-water-supply/ Fri, 06 Mar 2026 23:19:14 +0000 https://whbengineers.com/?p=4613 What does it take for clean water to travel from source to sink? More than most people realize.

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WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

From Groundwater to the Tap: The Hidden Engineering Behind Reliable Water Supply

What does it take for clean water to travel from source to sink? More than most people realize.

Beneath the streets and behind fences, invisible systems are always at work — delivering water where it’s needed, when it’s needed, without interruption.

Water is one of the most consistent parts of modern life — until it isn’t.

When pressure drops, wells go offline, or a pump station fails during a fire event, the consequences are immediate. Yet the systems that move clean water through our communities are rarely seen, and even more rarely understood.

At WHB Engineers, we specialize in the infrastructure most people never think about. Because when it comes to delivering reliable water to homes, hospitals, schools, and hydrants, it’s not just the source that matters. It’s the system behind it.

How Water Really Moves

Every drop of water that reaches the tap has traveled a long, engineered path — part of what engineers call the hydraulic conveyance system:

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Groundwater Wells

These vertical wells pull water from underground aquifers, feeding municipal systems. In areas like Huntington Beach, groundwater is a major source, and well performance directly affects system reliability.

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Surface Water

A significant portion of the water in the West comes from surface water sources — ranging from local streams and rivers to major water importation projects such as the Colorado River system. Efficient collection and movement are critical.

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Booster Pump Stations

These facilities pressurize the system, helping water move uphill, across pressure zones, and into elevated storage tanks. Booster stations are especially critical for firefighting and peak-hour service.

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Water Treatment

The checkpoint where raw groundwater or imported surface water is transformed into safe, reliable drinking water. WHB engineers the power, controls, and system integration — from San Diego’s 34-MGD Pure Water Plant (ozone, filtration, RO, UV) to conventional treatment upgrades.

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Storage Reservoirs & Tanks

Above- or below-ground tanks store water during low-use periods and supply it during high-demand hours or emergencies. They also create redundancy when other system components are offline.

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Pipelines & Distribution Networks

The backbone of the water system. These pipes vary in size, material, and pressure, and must be carefully mapped, maintained, and upgraded to ensure safe, efficient flow.

Each part is designed for a specific function — but they only succeed when they work together.

WHB's Role in Strengthening the Chain

WHB Engineers supports California cities with practical, system-minded infrastructure design. These recent projects reflect our focus on supply reliability and long-term performance:

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

When the City needed to expand groundwater production, WHB provided engineering for a new vertical production well. The project included not only well siting and design, but integration into the city’s broader system — helping ensure pressure, flow, and operational redundancy.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Originally constructed in 1970, the Mayfield BPS had reached the end of its service life. WHB designed a fully modern, below-ground replacement to improve performance, reduce maintenance, and support both potable and fire-flow demand. The new station was installed within a confined site with minimal community disruption.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

In Upland, WHB supported the City’s long-term storage reliability by strengthening an existing prestressed concrete tank and designing a new 7.5-million-gallon circular prestressed concrete tank, along with associated pump station improvements. The project reflects how modern storage isn’t just about holding more water — it’s about reinforcing the system’s ability to maintain pressure, meet peak demand, and stay resilient when other components are offline.

These projects illustrate how even individual upgrades — when thoughtfully engineered — can reinforce the reliability of the entire network.

Simplifying the Engineering: What Matters Most

Behind every water system are thousands of calculations, specifications, and design decisions. But some principles guide nearly every project:

01

Flow Rate Management

Getting water where it needs to go starts with knowing how much is needed and when. We plan for everything from everyday use to fire emergencies, ensuring pumps and pipelines are sized to keep things flowing smoothly, no matter the demand.

02

Redundancy

No one wants a single breakdown to shut down the whole system. That’s why we build in backups: extra pumps, alternate pipeline paths, and emergency power. These safeguards keep water moving even when something goes offline.

03

Emergency Capacity

When the unexpected happens — a wildfire, an earthquake, or a power outage — the system still needs to work. That is why we include standby generators, additional storage, and smart routing to ensure the critical water supply is always available.

These concepts aren’t about adding cost. They’re about adding confidence.

Why Robust System Design Matters

Water systems are being asked to do more under tougher conditions.

Droughts last longer. Recharge is slower. Storms hit harder. And communities can’t afford system failures when the pressure is highest — literally and figuratively.

That’s where robust design comes in. Backup pumps. Emergency storage. Smart pressure zones. WHB works with agencies to identify the weak points and reinforce them before they become liabilities.

“When the water supply becomes less predictable, the system delivering it needs to be more dependable than ever.”

Want to improve the reliability of your water system?

We’d be glad to help. WHB Engineers partners with public agencies to build the systems that make everyday life possible.

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Laguna Beach School District – Water Quality Management Plan https://whbengineers.com/laguna-beach-school-district-water-quality-management-plan/ Mon, 05 Feb 2024 20:56:07 +0000 https://whbengineers.com/?p=3890 WHB Engineers was selected by a commercial compost facility to assist in compliance with the State of California Compost General Order (CGO).

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Environmental & Permitting

WHB Engineers provides as-needed professional services as Qualified SWPPP Practitioner/Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSP/QSD) to support the existing, ongoing Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) requirements for inspection and maintenance as approved by the County of Orange.

WHB has additionally reviewed the existing WQMP dated July 24, 2002 prepared by Fuscoe Engineering to help develop maintenance recommendations and processes such that LBUSD is in compliance with the approved WQMP. WHB has trained appropriate LBUSD team members on the implementation of the current WQMP.

Latest Projects

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Evergreen Nursery Soil Percolation Testing https://whbengineers.com/evergreen-nursery-soil-percolation-testing/ Mon, 05 Feb 2024 20:51:32 +0000 https://whbengineers.com/?p=3878 WHB Engineers was selected by a commercial compost facility to assist in compliance with the State of California Compost General Order (CGO).

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Civil Engineering,  Environmental & Permitting

WHB Engineers was hired to author permit required documents (PRDs) for permit activation including a notice of intent (NOI) and Technical Report detailing site conditions. 

As part of the Technical Report, WHB conducted soil percolation testing and reporting of hydraulic soil surface conditions around active compost areas and detention basins. WHB was also responsible for creating and implementing a Groundwater Protection Monitoring Plan including the design, installation and monitoring of new onsite groundwater wells as well as existing site wells.

Latest Projects

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San Pasqual Valley Soils Groundwater Protection https://whbengineers.com/san-pasqual-valley-soils-groundwater-protection/ Wed, 24 Jan 2024 20:00:50 +0000 https://wordpress-984593-3995626.cloudwaysapps.com/?p=3552 WHB Engineers was selected by a commercial compost facility to assist in compliance with the State of California Compost General Order (CGO).

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Civil Engineering,  Environmental & Permitting

WHB was selected by a commercial compost facility to assist in compliance with the State of California Compost General Order (CGO).

The scope of work included initial site testing of the surface soils and their hydraulic infiltration rates, ongoing groundwater monitoring, and permit preparation and submittal as required by the State Water Resources Control Board.

To comply with the California General Permit (CGP) requirements for a Tier II Facility, WHB prepared and implemented a Groundwater Protection Monitoring Plan (GPMP).

This included a review of the regulatory requirements for this type of facility and an examination of the geology and hydrogeology of the site.

Based on our findings, WHB implemented the design, installation, and development of two groundwater wells, and performed an elevation survey.

WHB’s Environmental Services Team then collected groundwater samples for laboratory analysis and calculation of hydrogeologic parameters. A Well Installation and Monitoring Report was delivered to the client and ultimately submitted to the regional water quality control board.

The outcome of this assessment will aid the facility in future management decisions and contribute to the long-term preservation of water quality in the San Pasqual Valley.

Latest Projects

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Local Power Utility https://whbengineers.com/local-power-utility/ Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:57:13 +0000 https://wordpress-984593-3995626.cloudwaysapps.com/?p=3545 WHB Engineers has a long history of successfully executing projects for local power utility company, San Diego Gas and Electric.

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Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction Management

WHB has a long history of successfully executing projects for local power utility company, San Diego Gas and Electric. For close to ten years, WHB has completed a wide variety of SDG&E projects related to critical infrastructure such as electric substations transmission structures and distribution structures. Services that WHB typically provides includes but is not limited to the following:

Construction management, civil engineering design, structural engineering design, and site development design.

Latest Projects

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JMH CAPITAL PARTNERS (JMH) https://whbengineers.com/jmh-capital-partners-jmh/ Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:42:33 +0000 https://wordpress-984593-3995626.cloudwaysapps.com/?p=3527 JMH CAPITAL PARTNERS’ (“JMH”) via its Engineering holding company WHB Engineers, Inc. (“WHB”) has acquired Critical Solutions, Inc (“CSI”), a Pleasant Hill, CA-based Program, Project and Construction Management Consulting firm. With this latest acquisition, WHB has 4 offices in California focused on water infrastructure, power, transportation, site development, and public building construction project management. The […]

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JMH CAPITAL PARTNERS’ (“JMH”) via its Engineering holding company WHB Engineers, Inc. (“WHB”) has acquired Critical Solutions, Inc (“CSI”), a Pleasant Hill, CA-based Program, Project and Construction Management Consulting firm. With this latest acquisition, WHB has 4 offices in California focused on water infrastructure, power, transportation, site development, and public building construction project management.
The addition of CSI expands the organization’s Northern California footprint and capabilities. CSI adds technical resources and personnel for the company’s growing construction management practice servicing the broader water and general infrastructure markets, as well as key institutional building clients. “We felt that CSI was a great addition in terms of location, personnel and expertise” said Bill Siegel, Chairman of JMH’s buy-and-build strategy in engineering. “We love their deep connection with their project owner clients, and the quality of their team members.”
Ron Johnson, CSI founder, said, “Through this process it was critical for me to find an ownership transition solution that offered a good home for our employees and gave us confidence that our clients would continue to receive the outstanding quality and service they have come to expect from CSI. We believe our team will thrive in the combined organization and our clients will benefit from expanded capabilities and capacity.”

About WHB Engineers, Inc.

With offices in San Diego, San Mateo, Pleasant Hill (Walnut Creek), and Chico, California, WHB is an engineering firm providing design engineering for a full range of water purification, pump station, pipeline, and reservoir infrastructure for California’s most important municipalities and water districts. In addition, WHB provides electrical engineering, construction management, and program management services to telecommunications and power utility clients, as well as civil and structural engineering and land surveying to the public and private sectors.
WHB was initially formed with the acquisition of Richard Brady & Associates, Inc. in San Diego, and prior to its acquisition of CSI, expanded into Northern California via merger with San Mateo-based Wilsey Ham. Over the course of its 79-year operating history, the WHB business has developed an outstanding reputation and is well known for the reliability and quality of its service.

About JMH Capital Partners

JMH Capital Partners is a private equity firm dedicated to nurturing companies with excellent growth potential but lacking the resources to double or triple their size. JMH invests in established businesses with $5 million to $100 million of revenue, a unique market position, and exceptional profit potential. JMH typically partners with business owners who are looking to transition their business or need capital to lead their company into its next chapter of growth.

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Healthpeak Vantage Life Sciences Campus, South San Francisco, CA https://whbengineers.com/healthpeak-vantage-life-sciences-campus-south-san-francisco-ca/ Wed, 10 Jan 2024 22:30:20 +0000 https://wordpress-984593-3995626.cloudwaysapps.com/?p=3269 WHB Engineers has broad experience with designing and supporting biotech. Recently, WHB Engineers has been serving as the civil design consultant for Healthpeak’s new Vantage life sciences campus in South San Francisco.

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Civil Engineering

WHB Engineers has broad experience with designing and supporting biotech.  Recently, WHB has been serving as the civil design consultant for Healthpeak’s new Vantage life sciences campus in South San Francisco.

Over the past 20 plus years Wilsey Ham has worked closely with PMA, Healthpeak’s trusted local project management advisor, on projects throughout the Peninsula. Vantage is Healthpeak and PMA’s latest biotech project, and it is strikingly gorgeous. Phase 1 features two aggressive research & development buildings that can best be described as ships passing in the night, along with an amenity building, landscaped programmable areas, and surface parking.

Wilsey Ham prepared the grading design for a series of tricky landscape elements, including land bridges over terraced bioretention moats, raised decks, sports fields, and planted berms. We designed a large underground stormwater hydromodification tank that will slow runoff from the site with consideration to sensitive local habitats.

WHB prepared designs for the site water and sewer utilities, parking layout, hardscape grading, and bioretention treatment facilities. As part of the overall Phase 1 effort we also managed the plan preparation for the offsite improvements that include new median turn pockets, lighting, landscaping, and retaining walls for the Rule 20 undergrounded utilities.

Phase 1 construction is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2024. Phases 2 and 3 were recently entitled, adding 1.3 million square feet pf lab space to the campus. WHB is currently preparing designs for Phase 2.”

Latest Projects

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Los Altos Hills https://whbengineers.com/los-altos-hills/ Thu, 28 Dec 2023 16:45:01 +0000 https://wordpress-984593-3995626.cloudwaysapps.com/?p=2474 WHB Engineers specializes in Construction Management in Los Altos Hills, offering expertise in value engineering, bid support, construction submittals, and project coordination.

A notable project involved a unique 18-acre subdivision, managing complexities from environmental concerns to custom storm drain structures. Throughout the two-and-a-half-year construction, WHB Engineersensured seamless communication among stakeholders and addressed challenges with precision.

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Contra Costa College

008 (Design) 2012 (Construction)

Services: Construction Management, Project and Program Managememt

WHB Engineers has extensive experience providing Construction Engineering Support.  We routinely are engaged by local agencies to assist in value engineering, bid support, construction submittals, construction staking, contract administration, construction claims and disputes, and project closeouts. 

One example occurred at the 18 acre subdivision in Los Altos Hills, CA.  We worked closely with the developer to assist with contractor selection and contract preparation.  We managed coordination between the Owner, Contractor, and local agency stakeholders (including environmental agencies when a sensitive bird habitat was discovered on site at the onset of construction). 

Prior to construction, WHB reviewed the Contractor’s submittals and shop drawings for conformance with the plans and specifications.  The site and design constraints were incredibly unique and required a custom storm drain hydromodification structure, bioretention facilities, and an equestrian bridge.  These items required detailed shop drawing review.

During construction, we provided field inspection and prepared minor design changes as needed.  We reviewed and responded to Request for Information and assisted the Owner with responses to Contractor’s change orders. 

WHB maintained communications between the Owner, Contractor and Town staff during the two and a half years of construction and represented the Owner at many local agency meetings when the Owner was abroad.  Our responsibilities also included assistance with Tentative Map extensions, Final Map approval, and review of payment requests.

Latest Projects

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Almond Grove Street Reconstruction https://whbengineers.com/almond-grove-street-reconstruction/ Thu, 28 Dec 2023 16:43:34 +0000 https://wordpress-984593-3995626.cloudwaysapps.com/?p=2469 WHB Engineers showcased expertise in Almond Grove Street Reconstruction, Los Gatos. Collaborating with the community, they revitalized eight streets, preserving the neighborhood's charm.

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Civil Engineering, Surveying

WHB has an 80 year history of providing civil engineering services for public clients.  Our talented staff can take a project from preliminary design through engineering services support during construction.

One recent project is Phase 2 of the Almond Grove Street Reconstruction Project in Los Gatos, CA.  The scope of work included reconstruction of 8 intersecting streets within the quaint historic Almond Grove neighborhood adjacent to Los Gatos’ downtown hub.  The residents strongly desired to replace damaged concrete roads in kind with new concrete pavements in order to preserve the neighborhood’s character.

WHB lead a series of community meetings to inform residents of the design appearance and illustrate the impact on trees and neighborhood walkways.  We coordinated closely with subconsultants to prepare tree planting plans and a new jointed plain concrete pavement section that did not require steel reinforcement.  This design achieved our goal of increasing the tree canopy in Almond Grove while reducing environmental impacts and construction costs.

We also performed comprehensive topographic surveys of the project streets.  As part of the design, the streets were raised several inches to minimize construction impacts on existing shallow utilities.  WHB prepared detailed grading designs that ensured that the new streets’ improvements conformed to existing elevations at the back of sidewalk while also draining stormwater safely away from homes.  These designs were made possible by our survey and field evaluations by project engineers.

WHB provided steadfast engineering support to the Town during construction, which spanned 3 construction seasons and required intensive coordination with residents and stakeholders.

Latest Projects

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