REPUBLIC, Missouri (Oct. 29, 2026) — The City of Republic celebrated improvements to its Water Reclamation Facility that increase treatment capacity to 5 million gallons per day to support community growth and address regulatory requirements. Delivered with Burns & McDonnell through progressive design-build, the expansion features Missouri’s largest membrane bioreactor system and is part of a $145 million wastewater infrastructure program.

City officials and project partners marked the milestone with a ribbon-cutting on Oct. 29. The expansion is one of five coordinated projects addressing needs across Republic’s wastewater collection and treatment systems.

Republic began working with Burns & McDonnell on a comprehensive water and wastewater master plan in 2017. That planning established a foundation for infrastructure investments as development accelerated. The community has added more than 3,000 jobs in five years and attracted more than $700 million in capital investment, with its population projected to double over the next 20 years.

“Republic’s growth requires us to plan ahead and invest in infrastructure that serves both today’s residents and the community we are becoming,” City Administrator Colten Harris says. “These improvements give us additional capacity to support homes, businesses and employers while meeting our wastewater treatment responsibilities.”

The $145 million investment encompasses a significant treatment facility expansion, peak wet weather improvements and three collection system projects. Collection system work includes approximately 13,000 feet of new gravity sewer serving the Brookline corridor and upgrades to the McElhaney and Lift Station 4 facilities.

Early coordination with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources helped align treatment technology, permitting and funding. The city financed the program through direct allocations, state revolving fund loans and revenue bonds.

The facility features a first-of-its-kind treatment solution in Missouri that helps Republic address regulatory compliance challenges while preparing for future capacity expansion. The coordinated improvements give the city flexibility to accommodate continued growth and evolving wastewater treatment needs.

Selecting a progressive design-build approach for the project was a first for Republic, bringing design, procurement and construction into one coordinated effort. When early estimates exceeded the budget, the team used value engineering to realign costs while preserving treatment objectives.

Early procurement of critical equipment supported the construction schedule, and phased commissioning brought new systems online while the existing plant continued treating wastewater. City operations staff received training on the new treatment processes during startup.

“Keeping the facility operating while expanding its capabilities required close coordination with city staff throughout design and construction,” says Alli White, operations manager at Burns & McDonnell. “Working as one team helped us respond to cost pressures, plan construction around ongoing operations and prepare staff to operate the new systems.”

The improvements advance Republic’s long-term wastewater plan, expanding treatment capacity and collection infrastructure to serve residents, businesses and developing areas while meeting the city’s wastewater treatment obligations.

About Burns & McDonnell

Working from more than 75 offices around the world, Burns & McDonnell designs and builds critical infrastructure. Our family of companies — driven by engineers, construction professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists — delivers projects grounded in safety and a desire to make a difference as we make our clients successful. Founded in 1898, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned. Learn more.