Goals and Objectives

The following project goals and objectives were identified at the Project Kick-off Meeting:

- Limit storage of sludge in the primary clarifiers.
- Achieve more efficient removal of screenings and grit.
- Use technologies and systems that will remain sustainable over time.
- Upgrade obsolete electrical systems.
- Develop initial Building Information Model (BIM) and BIM Standards.
- Utilize available state and federal funding sources for the project, such as the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA).
- Make future operator training modules available online.
- BIM model should be available to geographical information systems (GIS), specifically as it relates to yard piping.

Commitment to Sustainability

The City of Kansas City, Missouri has a long-standing commitment to sustainability. From the highest city and departmental levels down to individual projects, efforts have been made to encourage and support an overall sustainable approach to capital improvements.

KC Water is committed to true sustainability by evaluating the social and economic impacts of a project along with the environmental impacts when making decisions. Shortly after the release of Envision, the City passed Resolution 140859 in 2014, supporting the incorporation of Envision sustainability principles on all City projects. Pursuing verification recognizes the extensive efforts the City and project teams have put forth to incorporate sustainability.

The Blue River Biosolids Facility project is pursuing Envision Silver verification. Through the verification process, the project will consider enhanced use of a waste product for beneficial use, reduced energy, natural gas, and water demands, odor reduction, recycling of materials that are demolished, noise mitigation during construction, and safety.

KC Water hosts tour at future biosolids facility site for local and congressional leaders

On August 17, representatives from congressional offices, US Water Alliance Chief Executive Officer Mami Hara, Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 Water Division Director Jeff Robichaud, and Mayor Quinton Lucas visited the biosolids facility site for a brief program followed by a short walking tour of the site to see the importance and need for federal infrastructure investments.

What’s the fuss about THP?

The Blue River wastewater treatment plant – the plant that processes the vast majority of solids in Kansas City’s wastewater – retired its half-century old incinerators to adopt new technology, a thermal hydrolysis process (THP). But, what exactly is THP, and how does it work? To answer these questions, let’s look back at how Kansas City wastewater has been processed for the past five decades.

Everything you ever wanted to know about BIM

Not only will the Blue River Biosolids Facility have the latest technology to process human waste into a useful agricultural product, the facility is also being designed using the latest architectural technology. Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology takes the place of traditionally-drawn 2D plans and physical 3D building prototype models. Instead, it allows designers to create a digital, visual representation of a future construction project that includes multiple disciplines (e.g. structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and cost estimating).