PC Construction, Stantec, and Hazen and Sawyer selected as design-build team for Piscataway WRRF Bio-Energy Facility

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Wastewater Treatment Plant RenderingProject projected to save customers $3 million per year

Fairfax, VA – The design-build team of PC Construction, Stantec, and Hazen and Sawyer today announced it has been selected to design and construct the first phase of Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission’s (WSSC) $250 million Piscataway Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) Bio-Energy Project in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Upon completion, the facility is projected to help save WSSC customers approximately $3 million per year while vastly expanding the commission’s green energy capabilities through increased production of renewable biogas.

This is the largest and most technically advanced project WSSC has constructed in its 100-year history and, upon completion, the facility will be among the first in the country to incorporate an advanced Thermal Hydrolysis Process (THP).

The Piscataway WRRF Bio-Energy Project will convert wastewater biosolids into renewable biogas, which will then be used by Combined Heat and Power (CHP) engines to help power the facility. A portion of the biogas generated will also supplement the local community’s energy supply. This innovative technology is expected to reduce the facility’s greenhouse gas emissions by 15%.

The project will also reduce the amount of resulting biosolids produced from five existing WSSC water resource recovery facilities, helping decrease WSSC’s costs to transport and dispose of these materials. The quality of the remaining biosolids will create an opportunity for the Commission to sell and distribute these Class A biosolids as fertilizer.

“This is an incredibly important project for WSSC and the community.” said Jay Fayette President and COO at PC Construction. “Our design-build team is a leader in these specialized facilities, combining PC’s construction experience – including the largest THP facility in the world – with Stantec’s history of designing nearly half of the world’s THP facilities and Hazen and Sawyer’s biosolids and sidestream treatment expertise. We are excited to collaborate with WSSC to move this environmentally significant project to successful completion.”

“The growing demand from local utilities to manage wastewater biosolids more effectively, coupled with the need for more energy efficient facilities, has created a substantial opportunity for THP applications in the US,” said Art Umble, global practice leader for wastewater treatment at Stantec. “We are pleased to lead the design of this significant project positioned to provide notable community benefits.”

The $44 million phase one contract includes design and early construction, which entails demolition of existing on-site facilities and relocation of existing site utilities. The entire Piscataway WRRF Bio-Energy Project is expected to be operational by spring 2024.