Woodard & Curran and Alberici Construction proudly announce that the Wright City Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) received a National Recognition Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) at the organization’s Annual Convention & Legislative Summit. This follows the Grand Award given by the ACEC of Missouri in the Waste and Storm Water category.
This transformative project delivers critical infrastructure improvements that protect public health, safeguard local waterways, and enable economic growth for Wright City and surrounding communities. The project was made possible thanks to a public-private partnership between American Foods Group (AFG) and Public Water Supply District #2 (PWSD2).
The new facility was necessary because AFG planned to develop a new beef processing facility in the community and the existing treatment facility could not accommodate the wastewater produced by the process. In addition, the new facility would bring a large number of new jobs to the area, driving population growth and putting additional pressure on the existing infrastructure. To address these needs, AFG and PWSD2 collaborated on an approach that would deliver an advanced treatment system that could handle both the municipal and industrial flows and allow for future growth in Wright City.
The $133.5 million facility replaces an outdated lagoon system with a modern treatment plant capable of processing 3.5 million gallons per day (MGD), a sevenfold increase in capacity. This upgrade provides reliable wastewater treatment for thousands of residents and businesses while supporting the development of a major beef processing facility that will bring hundreds of jobs to the region.
The facility increases municipal treatment capacity from 0.5 MGD to 2.0 MGD and adds 1.5 MGD for industrial flow. This expansion positions Wright City to accommodate residential and commercial development without additional infrastructure investment in the near term.
Advanced biological nutrient removal (BNR) technology allows the facility to comply with stringent water quality standards and prevents nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in Peruque Creek. This protects aquatic ecosystems and maintains the health of local waterways. By supporting AFG’s new beef processing facility, the project enables significant job creation and industrial growth. The upgraded system provides the foundation for sustainable economic expansion in Wright City.
All critical infrastructure is located above the 100-year floodplain, ensuring long-term protection against flooding. Redundant electrical systems and backup generators guarantee uninterrupted service during power outages. The project was delivered under budget by $8.1 million and completed on schedule, demonstrating the effectiveness of progressive design-build collaboration and strong project management.
“This project is a testament to what collaboration can achieve,” said Woodard & Curran CEO Alyson Watson. “It demonstrates how strong partnerships can deliver solutions that protect public health, support economic vitality, and preserve natural resources.”
The Wright City WWTF was delivered through a progressive design-build contract, thanks to a joint venture partnership between Woodard & Curran and Alberici Construction, and in collaboration with American Foods Group and Public Water Supply District #2.
