PC Construction, Stantec, and Hazen and Sawyer have announced the completion of WSSC Water’s $271 million Piscataway Bioenergy Facility. Situated in Prince George’s County, Maryland, the facility will convert biosolids into green energy while generating millions in cost savings and revenue.
Billed as the largest and most advanced project in WSSC Water’s 106-year history, the facility employs cutting-edge thermal hydrolysis process (THP) technology, making it one of only seven such installations in the United States. This transformative technology enhances efficiency, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and cuts operating costs.
Once fully operational in early 2025, the Piscataway Bioenergy Facility is projected to deliver approximately $4 million in annual revenue and save WSSC Water customers $3.4 million annually in operating costs. It will also play a critical role in reducing the utility’s carbon footprint, supporting Maryland’s sustainability goals.
“This project is truly groundbreaking, utilizing the thermal hydrolysis technology to reduce costs and increase efficiency and sustainability,” said Matt Cooke, president and CEO at PC Construction. “I am so grateful for the exceptional team that came together to deliver this innovative project—from our collaborative partnership with WSSC Water and the design-build team who leads the industry in designing and constructing these specialized facilities to the more than 120 subcontractors and vendors and hundreds of skilled craft workers who brought their best work to the site every day.”
The facility’s innovative design will process biosolids from all six of WSSC Water’s resource recovery facilities, transforming them into biogas. The biogas will fuel combined heat and power engines, which will partially power the facility itself. Additionally, surplus energy will be sold to Montgomery County to power its Ride On bus fleet, underscoring the facility’s broader community impact.
Beyond energy generation, the facility will produce Class A biosolids, a cleaner, pathogen-free byproduct suitable for use as a soil amendment. This positions the Piscataway Bioenergy Facility as a leader in sustainable wastewater management, providing tangible environmental and agricultural benefits.
The facility’s completion reflects the efforts of a robust partnership between PC Construction, Stantec, and Hazen and Sawyer. The project also involved contributions from over 120 subcontractors and vendors, as well as hundreds of skilled workers.
“This has been an innovative and ambitious effort from the start,” said Joe Uglevich, Senior Vice President and Director of Water Delivery at Stantec. “Reaching this milestone is deeply rewarding for the entire team. We are grateful for the opportunity to bring WSSC Water’s vision to life.”
The design and construction process prioritized inclusivity, with 34 Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and Small Local Business Enterprises (SLBE) contributing to nearly 150 jobs.
Constructed on budget and on schedule, the Piscataway Bioenergy Facility has the capacity to treat up to 92 dry tons of biosolids per day. It represents a major step forward for WSSC Water, Maryland’s largest water utility, and sets a new benchmark in environmentally responsible infrastructure.
