NEWS – AUGUST 26, 2010 

Johnson County Wastewater wins National Environmental Achievement Award

Olathe, KS, Aug. 26, 2010 - The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) honored 14 member agencies with National Environmental Achievement Awards at an Awards Ceremony on July 20, 2010, during the Association’s Summer Conference & 40 th Anniversary Annual Meeting, Sustainable Resource Management – Lessons from Clean Water’s Past and Present, in San Francisco, Calif. Agencies were recognized in three categories: Research & Technology, Operations & Environmental Performance, and Public Information & Education.

John Metzler, chief engineer, with Johnson County Wastewater, attended the conference and accepted on the department’s behalf one of four awards given for Operational & Environmental Performance.

JCW was honored for their project entitled Green Components Drive Plant Expansion to Sustainable Solution: The Douglas L Smith Solids Improvement Project . The Douglas L. Smith Middle Basin (DLSMB) wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was recently expanded from 12 million gallons per day (MGD) to 14.5 MGD and upgraded to meet environmental compliance goals.

The project enhanced the plant’s anaerobic digestion process as well as added a combined heat and power system and a fat, oils, and grease (FOG) receiving station. This project created an environmentally sustainable solution that provided Johnson County with the tools needed to effectively treat and beneficially reuse their biosolids while reducing its carbon footprint.

The DLSMB Solids Improvement Project provides JCW with the necessary “tools” to effectively treat and beneficially reuse the bio solids from two advanced bio nutrient removal WWTPs. The sustainability components of the project benefit the environment by meeting all regulatory requirements and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 9,700 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents per year. The benefits to Johnson County’s ratepayers include an aesthetically sensitive infrastructure improvement that was the first “green” wastewater project in the United States awarded American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding with nearly 50 percent of the $17.8 million loan eligible for principal forgiveness while creating and saving more than 200 construction jobs.

The annual award recognizes individuals and NACWA member agencies that have made outstanding contributions to environmental protection and the clean water community. 

ABOUT JOHNSON COUNTY WASTEWATER – JCW is responsible for the safe collection, transportation and treatment of wastewater generated by its residential, industrial, and commercial customers. The system infrastructure runs underground, serving more than 90,000 properties and approximately 440,000 people.