Denver Water and the Lean Methodology: Enhancing Stakeholder Input for Major Infrastructure Design

Abstract

Key TakeawaysSo that employees are empowered to assess workplace issues and implement a continuous‐improvement framework, Denver Water adopted the Lean methodology in 2011.With its goal of renewing or replacing aging infrastructure, Denver Water designed Northwater Treatment Plant as a key element in its North System Renewal Program.Denver Water held Lean‐supported workshops to glean input from its key stakeholders, including several of its operational departments.Lean workshops led to rightsizing of treatment plant capacity and multiple improvements in operational and management strategies for enhanced system resilience.