Stevens Point and Donohue & Associates received the 2023 American Council of Engineering Companies Wisconsin Engineering Excellence Best of State Award for the Liquid to Dried Biosolids Conversion Project at the City’s wastewater treatment facility.
Donohue and the City collaborated to bring multiple departments together and create a solution for cost-effective wastewater treatment, utility vehicle storage, and interdepartmental networking - all with a renewable focus on using existing resources (biogas, effluent water, solar) at the City’s disposal.
Awards judge Kevin Lyons noted, “This project transformed the City’s liquid biosolids program to a salable Class A dried product program. I appreciated the complex and sustainable design elements, including new dryer technology, harnessing biogas as a fuel source, adding 200% more digestion capacity, and a new heat pump system. This project is a gem in Wisconsin.”
The team created an innovative solution for the low ceiling and other space constraints in the new solids handling area. A paddle dryer fit the space and is the first of its kind in Wisconsin. It runs on the facility’s overabundance of methane gas, saving over $300,000 a year in fuel costs.
“Our focus has been on finding creative solutions like this to not only save money, but utilize space and resources to reduce our impact on the environment,” said Mayor Mike Wiza. “Our wastewater treatment facility is leading the way on resource repurposing, alternative energy uses and finding creative solutions to everyday problems.”
As a Best of State winner, the project is now eligible for the state’s top honor (Grand Award), to be announced at the ACEC Wisconsin Awards Banquet in Kohler on April 28.