Northwest Pipe Co. has received a letter of intent from Colich & Sons of Los Angeles, Calif., for approximately $7 million of welded steel pipe for the Lancaster — Stage Five Recycled Water Transmission Pipeline, a project for the County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles.

Northwest Pipe will supply approximately 46,000 feet of 36-inch diameter steel pipe, which is expected to be manufactured in the Company's Adelanto, Calif., division with delivery scheduled to begin early next year.

"This project is indicative of the improving water transmission market," said Brian W. Dunham, CEO. "While it will not impact revenues this year, it should help extend the positive trend we see in water transmission into 2005."

Headquartered in Portland, Ore., Northwest Pipe Co. manufactures welded steel pipe in two business segments. Its Water Transmission Group is a leading supplier of large diameter, high-pressure, steel pipe products used primarily for water transmission in the United States and Canada. Its Tubular Products Group manufactures smaller diameter steel pipe for a wide range of construction, agricultural, energy, industrial and mechanical applications. The company operates eleven manufacturing facilities in the United States and Mexico.