Jacobs Advances Modernization of Omaha Wastewater Treatment Plant

As the population in the Omaha metropolitan area continues to grow, Jacobs is helping the Papillion Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) meet future demand and evolving regulatory requirements.

The City of Omaha has awarded Jacobs the construction services and owner’s advisor role for the Papillion Creek WRRF Secondary Treatment Expansion project, which includes facility upgrades and the addition of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) technology. The project is being delivered using the construction-manager-at-risk (CMAR) collaborative delivery contracting method.

Jacobs will serve as the city’s advisor, providing construction oversight and management, as well as other areas of technical support as needed. The Papillion Creek WRRF is one of Omaha’s two regional facilities treating wastewater for more than 650,000 residents. These facilities play a crucial role in protecting public health and the environment by treating wastewater before it’s released back into the Missouri River.

With more than 40 years of support for the City of Omaha, Jacobs brings a unique combination of local insight, technical depth and global delivery experience. This includes extensive expertise with designing and overseeing the construction of large-scale CMAR projects and innovative wastewater treatment technologies. 

This is the city’s first project using a CMAR contracting approach for their wastewater treatment system, and Jacobs is guiding the process by coordinating with the design firm and CMAR contractor, providing third-party construction management. Acting as an advocate for the city’s interests, Jacobs is delivering independent cost estimates, managing schedules, and resolving issues between project stakeholders to keep the expansion on track and within budget. 

“Leveraging our nationwide experience with similar projects and the CMAR delivery method provides the city with crucial guidance as it navigates the design and construction of one of the largest aerobic granular sludge projects in the U.S.,” says Brook Corney, Jacobs’ project manager for the WRRF expansion. “The success of this complex water infrastructure project will help the city meet growing wastewater demands, benefiting Omaha and its surrounding communities.”