Upgrading the city’s sole wastewater treatment plant with uninterrupted plant operations.
Key Services
Construction
Self-Perform
Strategic Partnerships
Delivery Method
Progressive Design-Build (PDB)Capacity
11 MGDThe challenge
The City of Emporia’s sole wastewater treatment plant required significant upgrades to meet new discharge limits for nitrogen and phosphorous, address operational inefficiencies, and support anticipated population growth over the next 30 years. This critical project demanded a phased approach to ensure uninterrupted service while delivering a modernized facility capable of handling peak wet weather flows of 11 MGD.

Key Facts
Award of Merit, DBIA Mid-America Region
3% budget reduction
Self-performed all excavation, equipment installation, yard, and process pipe
Challenge met
Through progressive design-build delivery, CAS Constructors modernized the City of Emporia’s wastewater treatment plant. To maximize efficiency, the team creatively repurposed existing infrastructure by integrating an Integrated Fixed-Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) process into the existing aeration basin, eliminating the need for separate anaerobic and anoxic basins.
Key upgrades included the replacement of influent pumps, the installation of advanced fine screening at the headworks, and the addition of IFAS BNR basins with multiple zones, along with large bubble mixing and high-speed turbo blower systems.
Throughout the construction phase, CAS Constructors worked closely with plant operations, implementing detailed transition plans to maintain continuous service. Thorough risk assessments and contingency measures ensured smooth, uninterrupted wastewater treatment at every stage.
CAS Constructors’ strategic approach not only enabled the plant to meet stringent discharge standards but also prepared it for future capacity needs, enhancing its overall performance and efficiency—all while staying within budget.