City of Kansas City, MO
05/06/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/06/2026 12:36
KC Water celebrates new plant
KC Water and city leaders celebrated a major transformation to the Blue River Wastewater treatment plant, marking a significant milestone in sustainable infrastructure and innovation for the largest wastewater treatment facility in the city.
The now reimagined and renamed Blue River Biosolids Plant facility utilizes a state-of-the-art Thermal Hydrolysis Process (THP), converting wastewater into valuable resources such as renewable biogas and high-quality biosolids. By modernizing existing infrastructure, THP helps Kansas City meet future wastewater treatment needs in a more cost-effective and environmentally responsible way.
Years in the making, the facility positions Kansas City as one of only nine operational biosolids facilities in the United States utilizing THP technology. With only a handful of additional facilities under construction or planned nationwide, the project underscores the city's leadership and vision in environmental stewardship and resource recovery.
"This project is a great example of how Kansas City is finding innovative ways to turn waste into a resource and create renewable energy solutions for the future," said City Manager Mario Vasquez. "The ingenuity and expertise of the professionals behind this facility made this possible, and their work reflects the kind of forward-thinking collaboration that helps move Kansas City forward."
The THP uses heat, pressure, and bacteria to treat or "pressure cook" wastewater solids that are then eaten by the bacteria, turning waste into safe, reusable resources. Water and solids travel to the wastewater plant through a series of pipes and undergo a filtration process. Solids are treated and heated under high pressure until they are sterilized. Then, the solids are mixed with bacteria in a process called anaerobic digestion.
THP also improves the efficiency of the digestion process. The process produces a high-quality Class-A biosolid that can be safely used on farms and gardens, while supporting environmental sustainability and protecting public health as well as Biogas, a renewable energy source. KC Water partnered with Spire Energy to capture Biogas via a renewable natural gas facility for use locally as part of its energy portfolio.
City Manager Mario Vasquez emphasized the long-term impact of the project. "This investment demonstrates our commitment to environmentally-friendly practices and green technology that will benefit Kansas City and the region for generations to come," he said.
The Blue River Biosolids Facility is the largest wastewater treatment plan in Kansas City, treating an average of 75 million gallons of wastewater daily and processing nearly 98 percent of the city's wastewater solids. The implementation of THP significantly enhances operations by reducing waste volume, eliminating pathogens, and producing Class A biosolids.
"This project reflects the mission of KC Water and the critical role we play to protect public health and safeguard regional water resources." said KC Water Director Ken Morgan. "By transitioning to the THP process for our wastewater processing, KC Water is prioritizing a greener and healthier way to operate both today and in the future."
The Blue River Biosolids Facility stands as a national model for sustainable resource management, transforming what was once considered waste into valuable, reusable products while advancing the city's environmental goals.
Elected officials, KC Water staff, city leaders and the project team commemorated the facility with a formal program and ceremonial ribbon cutting on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. For more information about the Thermal Hydrolysis Process and the Blue River Biosolids Facility project, visit: https://www.blueriverbiosolids.com.
City of Kansas City, MO published this content on May 06, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 06, 2026 at 18:36 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]