By: Contech Engineered Solutions
Project Summary
The 2024 NCSPA Going Green Project of the Year proved that a corrugated metal pipe stormwater detention system could deliver massive storage capacity while reducing costs and installation time. Submitted by Contech Engineered Solutions, the project provided more than 1.4 million cubic feet of underground stormwater storage for a major Houston hospital development.
Winner of the NCSPA Project of the Year – Going Green Category
The 2024 NCSPA Going Green Project of the Year demonstrates how innovative hospital stormwater management infrastructure can support some of the nation’s largest healthcare construction projects.
When Harris County voters approved a $2.5 billion bond initiative, plans moved forward to replace Houston’s aging LBJ Hospital with a new 12-story, 1.3 million-square-foot medical facility. The campus includes 390 private patient rooms, 15 operating rooms, and a rooftop helipad.
Behind the scenes, however, one critical challenge demanded an innovative solution. The project required more than 1.4 million cubic feet of stormwater storage while maintaining an aggressive construction schedule. Contech Engineered Solutions answered that challenge with a corrugated metal pipe stormwater system that ultimately earned national recognition.
Replacing Concrete with a Corrugated Metal Pipe Stormwater System
Early project planning assumed that a precast concrete system would be required to achieve the necessary storage capacity. However, Contech demonstrated that a corrugated metal pipe stormwater system could deliver equivalent performance in stormwater infrastructure while reducing both installation complexity and overall project costs.
The use of aluminized corrugated metal pipe provided a lightweight and flexible alternative that simplified logistics on the active construction site. The system also reduced material demands while maintaining the large detention volume required for the hospital campus.
Projects requiring significant underground stormwater storage increasingly utilize corrugated steel solutions because they offer design flexibility, efficient installation, and long-term durability. Similar approaches have been successfully implemented on large-scale developments such as the Ontario Ranch Commerce Center and other stormwater detention projects throughout North America.
Flexibility That Kept the Project on Schedule
Contech collaborated with engineers at Walter P. Moore as well as the general and subcontractors to navigate utility conflicts and design revisions. The final corrugated metal pipe stormwater system used pipe diameters ranging from 24 inches to 114 inches and included Contech’s Exfiltration Joint system to further maximize capacity.
Thanks to the versatility of CMP, Contech was able to adapt the detention system to each phase of construction without delaying progress.
Built in Phases, Delivered With Precision
Because three different general contractors worked across three project phases, Contech needed to remain flexible. They delivered nine separate detention systems, aligning each with the contractor’s unique timeline and needs.
Throughout the process, their use of corrugated metal pipe made logistics simpler, reduced labor demands, and helped keep installation efficient, even on a fast-moving jobsite.
A Going Green Winner for Stormwater Management
This project demonstrates that large-scale stormwater detention systems do not have to rely on heavy, rigid materials to achieve exceptional performance.
By utilizing a corrugated metal pipe stormwater system, the project team reduced material demands, simplified installation, and delivered the storage capacity needed for one of the largest healthcare construction projects in Texas. The flexibility of the system also allowed construction activities to remain on schedule despite multiple project phases and contractor transitions.
As communities continue investing in healthcare, commercial development, and public infrastructure, projects like this highlight how sustainable stormwater solutions can improve performance while reducing environmental impacts. The result is a resilient stormwater management system designed to serve the hospital campus for decades to come.
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