Bowman to Lead $30 Million Multi-Year Flood Control Project with Largest U.S. Water Reclamation Authority

Rhea-AI Summary

Bowman (NASDAQ: BWMN) announced on Jan. 13, 2026 that it was awarded a multi-year contract with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) to lead final design and permitting for the Central Road flood control project in Cook County.

The assignment expands Bowman’s public infrastructure backlog, represents its first contract with MWRD, and covers design for new trunk and lateral storm sewers plus a 100-acre-foot stormwater detention basin. Total construction costs are estimated at $30 million, and Bowman will lead stakeholder coordination, survey, geotechnical, hydrology and hydraulic modeling, environmental analysis, permitting, and preparation of design plans, specifications and estimates.

Positive

• $30 million estimated construction scope added to regional portfolio
• First-ever contract with MWRD, opening a major client relationship
• Expands public infrastructure backlog and long-duration public-sector revenue

Negative

• Contract covers final design and permitting only; construction award to contractors is not confirmed

News Market Reaction

-0.81%

1 alert

-0.81% News Effect

On the day this news was published, BWMN declined 0.81%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Service population: 5.2 million residents Service area size: 883 square miles Estimated construction cost: $30 million +1 more

4 metrics

Service population 5.2 million residents MWRD service area in Cook County, Illinois

Service area size 883 square miles MWRD coverage in Cook County, Illinois

Estimated construction cost $30 million Central Road flood control project total construction cost

Detention basin capacity 100-acre-foot Stormwater detention basin for flood control improvements

Market Reality Check

Price: $36.79 Vol: Volume 92,877 is at 0.7x ...

normal vol

$36.79 Last Close

Volume Volume 92,877 is at 0.7x the 20-day average, suggesting no unusual trading ahead of this news. normal

Technical Price $35.89 is trading above the $33.32 200-day MA, indicating a pre-existing upward trend.

Peers on Argus

Key engineering and construction peers showed positive moves (e.g., GLDD +2.57%,...

Key engineering and construction peers showed positive moves (e.g., GLDD +2.57%, BBCP +4.6%, MTRX +2.6%), but no peers appeared in the momentum scanner, and this event is tied to a company-specific contract award.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 16 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 16	Nasdaq bell event	Positive	-3.8%	Bell-ringing to celebrate RPT Alliance acquisition and new market entry.
Dec 08	Acquisition announcement	Positive	-1.6%	Acquisition of RPT Alliance expanding utility-scale power generation services.
Dec 02	Infrastructure contract win	Positive	-1.7%	Award of $3.7M ADA ramp design contract expanding Philadelphia work.
Nov 17	Environmental project award	Positive	+0.3%	Multi-year $7M West Seattle fish passage infrastructure design contract.
Nov 11	Planning assignments	Positive	+0.7%	New planning and transportation work in The Aurora Highlands, Colorado.

Pattern Detected

Recent positive corporate and contract announcements often saw mixed to negative next-day price reactions, indicating a tendency for good news to be met with selling or muted responses.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, Bowman reported multiple growth-oriented developments. On Nov 11, 2025 and Nov 17, 2025, it won transportation and fish passage design assignments, with modestly positive price reactions. Subsequent larger contract and acquisition news on Dec 2, Dec 8, and the Nasdaq bell-ringing announcement on Dec 16 were all strategically positive but followed by share price declines. Today’s multi-year flood control award continues the theme of expanding public infrastructure backlog and long-duration work.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Bowman’s award of a multi-year design and permitting role on a flood co...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Bowman’s award of a multi-year design and permitting role on a flood control project with estimated construction costs of $30 million, led for one of the largest U.S. water reclamation authorities. It adds to a growing portfolio of large public infrastructure assignments and supports a strategy of expanding long-duration public-sector revenue. Investors may track backlog growth, project execution on complex hydrology and stormwater work, and how these wins complement recent acquisitions and credit facility expansion.

Key Terms

stormwater detention basin, geotechnical, hydrology, hydraulic modeling, +1 more

5 terms

stormwater detention basin technical

"including new trunk and lateral storm sewers and a 100-acre-foot stormwater detention basin."

A stormwater detention basin is a shallow, usually landscaped pond or hollow designed to temporarily hold and slowly release rainwater runoff after storms, reducing flooding and easing pressure on drainage systems. For investors, it matters because it can be a required feature for property development, affecting construction costs, usable land area, maintenance obligations, regulatory compliance, and long‑term liability or resale value—think of it as a built‑in flood management tool that influences project economics.

geotechnical technical

"including stakeholder coordination, survey, geotechnical, hydrology and hydraulic modeling,"

"Geotechnical" relates to the study of Earth's materials and how they behave, especially soil and rock, to assess how stable and suitable land is for construction or development. For investors, understanding geotechnical conditions helps evaluate the safety, feasibility, and potential costs of building projects or infrastructure, influencing the value and risk associated with real estate and development ventures.

hydrology technical

"including stakeholder coordination, survey, geotechnical, hydrology and hydraulic modeling,"

Hydrology is the study of how water moves, is stored and changes form in the environment — including rainfall, rivers, groundwater and floods. For investors, hydrology matters because water behavior affects operations, costs, asset values and regulatory risk for businesses and infrastructure; think of it as a company’s plumbing and local weather combined, where leaks, droughts or floods can alter profits, insurance needs and long-term viability.

hydraulic modeling technical

"including stakeholder coordination, survey, geotechnical, hydrology and hydraulic modeling,"

Hydraulic modeling is the use of computer simulations or scaled physical tests to predict how water moves through rivers, pipes, coastal areas, or floodplains, like creating a detailed map of how a plumbing system would behave under different conditions. For investors it matters because the results influence project costs, flood risk, permitting, insurance, and long‑term asset value by showing whether infrastructure will work, need upgrades, or face regulatory or environmental constraints.

sediment and erosion control technical

"earthwork, sediment and erosion control, structural elements and pavement marking"

Sediment and erosion control describes the practices and materials used to keep soil in place and prevent loose dirt from washing or blowing into waterways, streets, and neighboring properties—think of sandbags and temporary fences that stop a yard from turning into mud after a storm. For investors, effective control matters because poor measures can trigger regulatory fines, cleanup costs, construction delays, higher insurance expenses, and reputational damage that affect project timelines and returns.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Multi-year contract expands public infrastructure backlog with new client relationship

RESTON, Va., Jan. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bowman Consulting Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: BWMN), a national engineering services and program management firm, announced today that it has been awarded a multi-year contract by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), one of the largest stormwater and wastewater treatment management agencies in the world, serving over 5.2 million residents across 883 square miles of Cook County, Illinois.

As one of its most significant regional stormwater assignments to date and its first contract with MWRD, Bowman will lead final design and permitting services for the Central Road flood control project in Cook County. The award expands the company’s public infrastructure backlog, and supports its strategy to grow organic, long-duration public-sector revenue. The win adds to Bowman’s growing portfolio of the region’s largest infrastructure projects, including the DuPage WaterLink Pipeline, I-80, I-55, I-90 roadway improvements and the award-winning Mile Long Bridge reconstruction.

“We continue our deliberate efforts toward organic growth of public agency revenue across the country,” said Gary Bowman, founder and CEO of Bowman. “This growing base of multi-phase public assignments enhances long-term visibility and facilitates cross-selling of integrated services to owners and operators of large, complex infrastructure systems.”

The assignment includes final design and permitting for flood control improvements in Cook County including new trunk and lateral storm sewers and a 100-acre-foot stormwater detention basin. Total construction costs are estimated at $30 million, under which Bowman will lead all aspects of the project, including stakeholder coordination, survey, geotechnical, hydrology and hydraulic modeling, environmental analysis, permitting and preparation and coordination of the development of required design plans, specifications and estimates. Design elements include roadway removal and reconstruction, drainage and utilities, detention basin, maintenance of traffic, earthwork, sediment and erosion control, structural elements and pavement marking and signing.

About Bowman Consulting Group Ltd.
Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Bowman is a national engineering services firm delivering infrastructure, technology and project management solutions to customers who own, develop and maintain the built environment. With over 2,500 employees and 100 U.S. offices, Bowman provides extensive planning, engineering, geospatial, construction management, commissioning, environmental consulting, land procurement and other technical services to customers operating in a diverse set of regulated end markets. Bowman trades on the Nasdaq under the symbol BWMN. For more information, visit bowman.com or investors.bowman.com.

General Media Contact:
Christina Nichols
pr@bowman.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Betsy Patterson
ir@bowman.com

FAQ

What did Bowman (BWMN) announce on January 13, 2026 about the Central Road project?

Bowman said it won a multi-year contract to lead final design and permitting for the Central Road flood control project in Cook County.

How large is the Central Road project tied to Bowman (BWMN)?

Total construction costs are estimated at $30 million, including trunk/lateral sewers and a 100-acre-foot detention basin.

Who is Bowman’s client for the Central Road flood control project (BWMN)?

The client is the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), serving over 5.2 million residents in Cook County.

What services will Bowman (BWMN) provide on the Central Road flood control project?

Bowman will lead stakeholder coordination, survey, geotechnical work, hydrology and hydraulic modeling, environmental analysis, permitting, and design plans/specifications.

Does Bowman’s contract for the Central Road project include construction work (BWMN)?

No; the announced award covers final design and permitting; construction contracts are separate and not guaranteed to Bowman.

How does the Central Road award affect Bowman’s backlog and strategy (BWMN)?

The award increases Bowman’s public infrastructure backlog and supports its strategy to grow organic, long-duration public-sector revenue.