Beaumont, Texas Transforms Flood Protection

Here’s how a simple, rapidly deployable flood barrier system became a key part of Beaumont’s long-term flood preparedness strategy.

 

The Challenge: Protecting Essential Operations in a Flood-Prone Region

The City of Beaumont operates one of Southeast Texas’ larger wastewater treatment facilities, processing approximately 40 million gallons of wastewater each day. Located in a region frequently impacted by heavy rainfall, tropical storms, and hurricanes, portions of the facility were vulnerable to flooding.

One area identified as particularly critical was the lift station’s Motor Control Center (MCC) Building, which houses essential systems required to maintain plant operations, including:

• Electrical switchgear
• Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
• PLC control systems
• Backup generator equipment
• Electrical distribution systems
• Safety and operational controls

 

Because portions of the lift station infrastructure are located below grade, flooding posed a significant threat to these vital assets.

 

Exploring the Options

Facility leaders evaluated several approaches to mitigating flood risk. Permanently elevating critical infrastructure was technically feasible, but the underground nature of the facility made the project exceptionally complex and expensive. Estimated costs reached into the millions of dollars.

Instead, Beaumont sought a flood protection solution that could:

• Protect critical assets during severe weather events
• Be deployed quickly when storms approached
• Require minimal staffing
• Be reused year after year
• Minimize capital expenditures

 

The goal was clear: improve resiliency without undertaking a costly infrastructure reconstruction project.

 

The Solution: NOAQ Boxwall Flood Barriers

In 2017, the facility purchased the NOAQ Boxwall flood barrier system to protect approximately 100 linear feet along the entrance side of the MCC Building.

The system offered several operational advantages:

• Rapid deployment in approximately 12 minutes
• Installation by just two employees
• No tools or heavy equipment required
• Reusable design for repeated flood events

 

These features made the Boxwall system a practical addition to the facility’s emergency preparedness plan.

 

 

Put to the Test During Hurricane Harvey

The true test came shortly after installation during Hurricane Harvey in August 2017, one of the most devastating flooding events in Texas history.

Facility personnel deployed the NOAQ Boxwall around the MCC Building before floodwaters arrived. The barriers successfully redirected water away from the structure and toward natural drainage routes, preventing floodwaters from reaching critical electrical equipment. To further enhance protection, operators positioned a 3-inch pump behind the barrier system to manage minor seepage within the protected area.

The deployment demonstrated how temporary flood barriers can provide meaningful protection for high-value assets when severe weather strikes.

 

The Financial Impact of Flood Prevention

For facilities like Beaumont’s wastewater treatment plant, the cost of even a minor flood event can be substantial.

Facility personnel estimated that precautionary inspections, testing, and safety verification following a flood incident can exceed $50,000. If critical electrical equipment sustains damage, expenses can rise dramatically:

• Electrical inspections and safety verification: $50,000+
• Major switchgear replacement: $500,000 to $1 million
• Operational disruptions and emergency response costs: potentially significant additional expenses

 

By preventing floodwater from reaching critical equipment, the barrier system helped reduce exposure to these costly risks.

 

Results That Continue Today

Since its purchase in 2017, the NOAQ Boxwall system has remained an important component of the facility’s flood preparedness strategy. Key outcomes include:

• Protection of critical wastewater infrastructure
• Safeguarding of electrical and control systems
• Minimal labor requirements for deployment and retrieval
• Multiple reuses each year
• Avoidance of a multi-million-dollar infrastructure elevation project
• Long-term integration into emergency response planning

 

The system’s value is perhaps best summarized by Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Jess Liao:

“It worked perfectly. I wish we bought them before Harvey or Imelda.”

 

Building Resilience Without Breaking the Budget

For utilities, municipalities, and industrial facilities facing growing flood risks, Beaumont’s experience highlights an important lesson: effective flood protection does not always require major construction projects.

By investing in a reusable, rapidly deployable barrier system, the City of Beaumont strengthened the resilience of critical wastewater operations while avoiding the significant costs associated with permanent infrastructure modifications. The result is a practical flood defense strategy that continues to deliver value nearly a decade after its initial deployment.