The design-build team of PC Construction, Stantec, and Hazen and Sawyer are excited to announce the completion of construction for WSSC Water’s $271 million Piscataway Bioenergy Facility in Prince George’s County, Maryland, where biosolids will be turned into green energy. The facility is projected to generate approximately $4 million per year in revenue, save WSSC Water customers approximately $3.4 million per year in operating costs, and further reduce WSSC Water’s greenhouse gas emissions.
This is the largest and most technically advanced project WSSC Water has constructed in its 106-year history and is one of only 7 facilities in the country to incorporate an advanced thermal hydrolysis process (THP) to efficiently transform biosolids. Once fully operational in early 2025, all biosolids from WSSC Water’s 6 water resource recovery facilities will be delivered to the new facility for processing, transforming how Maryland’s largest water utility handles biosolids.
“This project is truly groundbreaking, utilizing the thermal hydrolysis technology to reduce costs and increase efficiency and sustainability,” said Matt Cooke, president and CEO at PC Construction. “I am so grateful for the exceptional team that came together to deliver this innovative project—from our collaborative partnership with WSSC Water and the design-build team who leads the industry in designing and constructing these specialized facilities to the more than 120 subcontractors and vendors and hundreds of skilled craft workers who brought their best work to the site every day.”
The facility, which was completed by a design-build team led by PC Construction in partnership with Stantec and Hazen and Sawyer, converts wastewater biosolids into biogas, which is then used by combined heat and power engines to help power the facility, with a portion of the bioenergy generated being sold to Montgomery County to power a portion of its Ride On bus fleet. In addition, the facility will produce fewer and cleaner Class A biosolids that can be marketed as a soil amendment.
“This has been an innovative and ambitious effort from the start, with hundreds of engineers and scientists contributing over the course of the project,” said Joe Uglevich, senior vice president and director of water delivery at Stantec. “Reaching this critical completion milestone is deeply rewarding for the entire team. This was a massive undertaking, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside PC Construction to achieve WSSC Water’s vision and design this incredible facility.”
The design and construction of the facility supported hundreds of skilled craft workers, with participation by 34 Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and Small Local Business Enterprises (SLBE), supporting nearly 150 MBE/SLBE jobs.
Construction was completed on budget and on schedule, providing a regional facility capable of treating up to 92 dry tons of biosolids per day.
