The East Valley Water District initiated the SNRC project through a collaborative procurement process. The design-build team embedded that culture throughout every facet of the project, even establishing a formalized partnering charter around their values of teamwork, respect, flexibility and technical excellence. Over five years of construction, the project team logged 800,745 total worker hours with only one lost-time incident. Throughout design, the team identified and eliminated hazards related to heavy equipment operation, electrical work and activities conducted at height. The team adopted a proactive stance, thoroughly assessing design choices to mitigate key safety concerns, such as being struck by objects, electrocution, falls and entrapment as well as weather-related risks to prevent heat-related illnesses and slips during rain.