HCDD1 Delta Reclamation and Houston Stormwater Master Plan Awarded Gold Medal by ACEC Texas

RICHARDSON, Texas — Halff, an award-winning, employee-owned, full-service infrastructure consulting firm, earned a pair of gold honors from the Texas Chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) in the 2026 ACEC Texas Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) competition.

The Engineering Excellence Awards competition has been held by ACEC Texas since its inception in 1975 to honor and recognize outstanding achievements within the engineering community. The distinguished panel of judges from around the state select 13 gold medal and six silver medal projects from 39 entries based on uniqueness, originality, value to the engineering profession, complexity and how successfully the project met the needs of the client.

View of the Delta Reclamation Water Pilot Scale Treatment Plant located north of La Villa, Texas, in northeastern Hidalgo County.

The Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 (HCDD1) Delta Reclamation Water Treatment Plant Pilot Study earned a gold medal in the studies, research and consulting engineering category. The study is a blueprint for sustainable water management. The Delta Reclamation project is pioneering water reclamation by reducing dependency on conventional water systems. Working in conjunction with HCDD1, the project recaptures water from hundreds of miles of drainage ditches and creates a new regional source of water while lessening water dependency on the Rio Grande. Part of the project involves the creation of a 225-acre reservoir that not only facilitates water reclamation but helps the region with drainage.

100-year ponding depths within the City of Houston as a result of the modeling effort.

The City of Houston Stormwater Master Plan (SWMP) was a gold medal winner in the water resources category. The SWMP is a comprehensive modeling analysis of all types of stormwater infrastructure throughout the Houston city limits. The plan equipped Houston with a fully integrated, citywide hydrologic and hydraulic model that evaluates how routine and extreme flood events impact the entire drainage system. This comprehensive analysis enables the city to identify weaknesses in the system and inform data-driven decisions that target the areas of the city under the most flood risk. The SWMP offers Houston a powerful framework for reducing flood risk, enhancing infrastructure performance and planning for long-term climate resilience.

About the Firm

Halff is an award-winning, employee-owned, full-service infrastructure consulting firm celebrating a legacy of 75 years of improving lives and communities. Founded in 1950 by Dr. Albert H. Halff, the firm has built a legacy of delivering innovative solutions with a people-focused approach.

Operating from more than 30 offices across Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas, Halff is a leader in design excellence and community impact, earning more than 90 project awards since 2021. For four consecutive years, Halff has ranked as an Engineering News-Record Top 100 Design Firm and as a USA TODAY National Top Workplace.