Parsons Corporation for the Bakersfield Wastewater Treatment Plant 3 Upgrade and Expansion

ACEC CA has recognized Parsons Corporation, as a finalist this year for ACEC California’s Engineering Excellence Awards for the Bakersfield Wastewater Treatment Plant 3 Upgrade and Expansion, addressing capacity (16 mgd to 32 mgd) and renewable energy and regulatory requirements including nitrogen removal for groundwater recharge.

Prior to the upgrades, Plant 3 continuously violated its effluent discharge permit. As the design engineer, Parsons incorporated several innovative, out-of-the-box process modifications, as well as cost- and energy-saving ideas such as an extensive and creative odor control for the zero odor plant, conversion of old secondary clarifiers to covered primary clarifiers, an integrated renewable energy system with biomass energy and PV solar energy for significant GHG reduction, and LEED-type buildings. This sustainable design earned more than $3.5 million in rebates/grants from PG&E and ARRA. PG&E estimates an annual operating cost savings of $556,000 for the upgraded plant. Completed on time with no recordable OSHA accidents, Plant 3 has outperformed all regulatory requirements.