DE SOTO, KS — The City of De Soto celebrated the opening of its expanded wastewater treatment plant with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, recognizing the completion of a project that doubles treatment capacity from 1.3 million gallons per day (MGD) to 2.6 MGD.
The expansion was driven by the arrival of a $4 billion Panasonic battery manufacturing facility, expected to bring 4,000 jobs to the area and help supply batteries for electric vehicles. To meet the plant’s startup requirements, the city needed to expand treatment capacity on a tight schedule while also meeting increasingly stringent water-quality requirements for nitrogen and phosphorus removal.
“Expanding our wastewater treatment capacity is an investment in the long-term reliability of our community’s infrastructure,” said Rick Walker, Mayor of the City of De Soto. “It gives residents and businesses confidence that the essential services they depend on are in place, well maintained, and prepared to meet De Soto’s needs for years to come.”
A joint venture of Burns & McDonnell and CAS Constructors delivered the $40 million expansion using progressive design-build. This approach enabled the team to reach 30 percent design in under six months and positioned the city to meet its aggressive schedule.
“Progressive design-build gives small communities a real advantage when they face big infrastructure challenges, because everyone is at the table early,” said Jeff Keller, Manager of the project’s design team at Burns & McDonnell. “That collaboration let De Soto move faster, manage risk, and keep costs in check without overextending its staff.”
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The project team accelerated design and early procurement to support Panasonic’s startup schedule while implementing a combined chemical, physical, and biological water treatment process. The team also coordinated closely with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Panasonic to define flows and meet permit requirements.
“Early procurement, strategically phased construction, and a relentless focus on safety let our team meet an aggressive schedule without compromise,” said Travis Stryker, PE, President of CAS Constructors. “Delivering this expansion on time made it possible for the city to meet Panasonic’s timeline.”
The expansion provides capacity for Panasonic’s initial operations while creating a foundation for future development throughout the region.
