Reimagining waste as a resource at an Ohio biosolids facility

The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati (MSD) is advancing a $217 million biosolids facility that redefines how communities manage wastewater, generate renewable energy and reduce environmental impact.

Located at the Little Miami Wastewater Treatment Plant (LMWWTP) in Hamilton County, Ohio, the new facility will consolidate biosolids processing from three major treatment plants – Little Miami, Polk Run and Sycamore Creek. The plants currently rely on outdated processes that require sending waste solids to landfill. 

Under a progressive design-build contract, Jacobs is leading the design and construction of a centralized, modern facility to improve operational efficiency and environmental performance. 

At the heart of the project is thermophilic anaerobic digestion, a process that converts wastewater sludge into biogas and high-quality Class A biosolids. Jacobs is also designing and building new systems for sludge thickening, receiving, dewatering and odor control. 

Key benefits include: 

• Biogas recovery: Captured biogas will be upgraded and reused onsite to power gas turbine-driven aeration blowers, significantly cutting carbon emissions and reducing reliance on grid electricity.
• Class A biosolids: The process will produce biosolids suitable for land application, diverting waste from landfills and supporting agricultural reuse. Reduced biosolids volumes will also mean fewer trucks on the road.

Delivered through a progressive design-build approach, the project enables close collaboration between MSD and Jacobs, and supports iterative design development, cost transparency and shared risk management. Following the successful completion of Phase 1 design and planning, MSD approved full construction funding in 2025. The project is scheduled for substantial completion in 2028.

As communities around the world confront aging infrastructure and growing environmental obligations, MSD’s investment in sustainable biosolids processing offers a replicable model for resilience, resource recovery and long-term value.