History of Wastewater Plants

A history of Warrensburg notes that in response to a polio outbreak in 1953, the community approved the issuance of sewer revenue bonds to fund construction of a sanitary sewer system for the entire community. After construction the West and East Wastewater Treatment Facilities (WWTFs) utilized Trickling Filter technology to treat the wastewater along with Anaerobic Digestion to treat the sludge (biosolids).

West Treatment Plant History

In 1975 a new West WWTF was constructed north of highway 50 utilizing the Activated Sludge Process along with Aerobic Digestion to treat the biosolids. Improvements were made in 1986, 1991, 1994 and 2010. The West plant discharges the treated effluent to Postoak Creek and is permitted to land apply the biosolids.
  • The current design for Population Equivalent (PE) is 15,000 residents.
  • The current liquid treatment is an average daily flow of 820,000 gallons per day. The improvements raised the liquid treatment capacity average daily flow of 1,500,000 gallons per day.
  • The liquid treatment capacity during heavy rain events is 9,000,000 gallons per day.
  • Future design includes a 4th SBR.
  • The West WWTF is operated with 2 operators. Operator III is a Missouri certified A operator and operator II is a Missouri certified C operator.
  • In 2012 the West WWTF was awarded the 2011 Missouri Water Environment Association Biosolids Management Award in recognition of outstanding management of wastewater biosolids.

East Treatment Plant History

In 1980 a new East WWTF was constructed northeast of highway 50 utilizing the Activated Sludge Process along with Aerobic Digestion to treat the biosolids. Improvements were made in 1991, 1994 and 2010. The East plant discharges the treated effluent to Bear Creek and is permitted to land apply the biosolids.
  • The current design for Population Equivalent (PE) is 15,000 residents.
  • The current liquid treatment is an average daily flow of 1,100,000 gallons per day. The improvements raised the liquid treatment capacity average daily flow to 1,500,000 gallons per day.
  • The liquid treatment capacity during heavy rain events is 9,000,000 gallons per day.
  • Future design includes a 4th SBR.
  • The East WWTF is operated with 2 operators. Each operator is a Missouri certified A operator. Operator II also holds a MWEA C certification for laboratory analysis.
  • In 2008 the East WWTF was awarded by Missouri Water Environment Association the 2007 Plant of the Year in recognition of outstanding treatment plant operations.