Case Study

Building trusted community partnerships before construction begins.

CLIENT:

Clean Water Services

Overview

PRR helped Clean Water Services build equitable outreach for the Metzger Trunk sewer and stormwater rehabilitation project in Tigard, Oregon. By developing a demographic profile, coordinating interviews with trusted community organizations, and drafting accessible bilingual materials, PRR laid the groundwork for lasting community partnerships ahead of design and construction.

SECTORS

Environment

SERVICES

Community Engagement

Research and Insights

Marketing and Communications

AREAS OF IMPACT

Equitable Outreach, Water Infrastructure, Community Partnerships, Language Access, Demographic Research

7

discovery interviews coordinated with partners and agencies

5

community-based organizations engaged in the project area

12-16%

of area households reached in Spanish

The Situation

Equitable outreach for a complex water project

Clean Water Services planned a sewer and stormwater rehabilitation project in Tigard, Oregon, large in size, long in duration, and significant in its potential to reshape public green spaces. A project of that scope demanded outreach that reached everyone it would affect, including low-income, housing-burdened, and Spanish-speaking residents too often left out of the conversation. CWS brought in PRR to help build more equitable engagement practices from the ground up.

The Opportunity

Listening first, building trust before breaking ground

PRR saw an opportunity to lead with listening. Rather than broadcasting project information, PRR focused on understanding the community first, mapping who lived in the project area, and partnering with the organizations residents already trusted. CWS could then enter design and construction with relationships and insight already in place.

The Solution

Community insight, turned into strategy

PRR developed a demographic profile of the project area, coordinated interviews between CWS and trusted local organizations, and created accessible, bilingual outreach materials, turning community insight into a practical engagement strategy for the phases ahead.

Mapped the community

PRR built a demographic profile of the project area, covering language, income, disability, internet access, housing burden, and access to green space, to identify how best to reach vulnerable populations.

Learned from local experts

PRR met with Tigard engagement and planning staff and coordinated seven interviews with community organizations and agencies serving low-income, housing-burdened, and Spanish-speaking residents.

Turned feedback into strategy

PRR compiled partner input into recommendations and a comprehensive outreach strategy, documenting goals, priority audiences, key messages, and tactics to reduce barriers and build trust.

Made information accessible

PRR drafted plain-language website content, emails, and a factsheet, designed a map, and translated materials into Spanish to reach the area's Spanish-speaking households.

Results

A stronger foundation for every phase ahead

PRR's work gave Clean Water Services a clearer understanding of the partners and audiences in the project area and a practical strategy for reaching them. CWS integrated interview feedback into its procurement processes and would keep developing partner relationships through future phases of work. The project advanced to Phase 2 design, approved by the CWS board in September 2025.

Work that makes a difference.

See all work

A young child gazes off-camera in a warmly lit home