KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A state-of-the-art, first-of-its-kind facility in the Midwest is expected to enter the testing phases as the certification process continues.
The City of Kansas City, Missouri, announced on Friday, April 4, that KC Water is expected to launch the next phase of the Blue River Biosolids Facility upgrade next week as system testing is set to begin. The milestone positions the City of Fountains as a national leader in sustainable wastewater management.
City leaders noted that the upgraded facility, at 7300 Hawthorne Rd. near I-435 and Front St., will be the first in the Midwest to use a biosolid treatment system with a Thermal Hydrolysis Process (THP). The innovative tech converts wastewater solids into Class A biosolids and biogas to reduce environmental impacts.
“The Blue River Biosolids Facility upgrade represents Kansas City’s bold vision for innovation and environmental leadership,” said Mayor Quinton Lucas. “By transforming what others see as waste into valuable community resources, we are protecting public health, preserving our natural environment, and building a more sustainable, cost-effective infrastructure that will serve Kansas City families for generations to come.”
City officials indicated that the Blue River Biosolids Facility upgrade will improve existing infrastructure as the city’s wastewater management approach is modernized. The initiative aligns with KC Water’s mission to enhance sustainability and quality of life as costs for ratepayers are lowered.
While testing begins next week, KC Water said the plant is expected to be operational shortly after in the stages of Quarter 4. Biosolid and biogas production is expected to commence shortly after that.
Meanwhile, city leaders indicated that full certification as a Class A biosolids facility is projected in 2026. To achieve this milestone, KC Water must first convert the remaining Class B solids in the system to Class A - a process that is calculated and will take some time to complete.
According to city officials, the Thermal Hydrolysis Process introduces a two-step “pressure cooker” system that prepares sludge for the efficient breakdown of organisms to produce clean, safe byproducts. The benefits are expected to:
- Reduce reliance on incinerators and landfill disposal
- Provide a safe, nutrient-rich fertilizer for farms and gardens
- Produce renewable energy that can power the plant or be supplied to the natural gas grid for reuse
City leaders indicated that waste during THP is treated under high heat and pressure. The treated solids are combined to produce biogas and biosolids. These biosolids can be used as a fertilizer and soil conditioner safely, while biogas can generate reusable energy and protect air quality.
It looks like KC is going to have a state of the art waterpurification system. This should be good news for everyone especially for our hobby.