On October 4, 2025, the Roadshow celebrated infrastructure and public works at Pure Water San Diego. One of the largest and most ambitious infrastructure projects of its kind in the U.S., it will provide half of the city’s clean water supply by 2035.
City Council President Joe LaCava, an engineer, speaks to the crowd.
The Pure Water project uses proven purification technology to safely recycle water for drinking, providing a sustainable, local water supply for San Diego communities and businesses.
The Roadshow was joined by City Council President Joe LaCava, a licensed civil engineer and a strong advocate for infrastructure and the environment.
City Council President Joe LaCava poses with ACEC’s Jason Matson
At a time when potable water is top of mind for the engineering industry, this project is an example of how engineering, community, and public works can deliver solutions with generational impact. The Pure Water San Diego program not only addresses critical water security issues for the city but also serves as a national model for other regions grappling with drought.
As ACEC, APWA, and ASCE continue to spotlight transformative projects across the country, the San Diego roadshow underscored the vital role engineers and public works professionals play in creating sustainable, resilient communities, and in ensuring that our most essential resource, clean water, is safeguarded for decades to come.
AleSmith Brewing Company’s re:beer on display at the event. The beer is brewed with water from San Diego’s Pure Water iniative.
At the event, ACEC Vice Chair Kurt Yoshii had a message for students, our next generation of potential engineers. “If you’re passionate about clean water, sustainability, and protecting the environment, engineering is one of the most direct and impactful ways to turn that passion into real-world change.”
Following the program, attendees took a tour of the Pure Water facility currently under construction.
Attendees tour the facility.
The Engineering and Public Works Roadshow travels the country to elevate the role of engineering in daily life, increase public awareness of infrastructure investment, and inspire future professionals. With more than 20 stops completed and more scheduled through 2025, the Roadshow is building a national narrative around the value of infrastructure and the people who deliver it.
ASCE’s Michael Drennan addresses the crowd. (Below)
