Projects

MSD Project Clear (MSDPC) is making a significant investment to improve air quality in the St. Louis region by updating the biosolids facilities at the Bissell Point and Lemay Wastewater Treatment Plants.

Biosolids management systems are used to treat and reduce the volume of biosolids that have been removed during the wastewater treatment process. Although the existing facilities continue to meet or exceed all air quality standards, the new systems will significantly improve air quality, reducing emissions by more than 70 percent.

Construction of the new facilities is ongoing. Completion is anticipated in Spring 2029.

About the Project

What is the goal of this project?

MSDPC is investing $900 million to improve air quality in the St. Louis region by replacing century-old technology with innovative, environmentally friendly systems. Our existing facilities have served the region well but they use century-old technology.

MSDPC’s new facilities will use modern, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly processes, resulting in significantly cleaner air.

Winter 2024-25 Update

With the design-build approach, construction work is underway even as design work is being finalized.

The design team, led by Crawford, Murphy, and Tilly (CMT), is on track to deliver final design documents in early 2025. The construction team, led by Kokosing/Plocher, continues to make progress on both sites.

Community Engagement

MSDPC is committed to keeping stakeholders in the area informed.

• Prior to the start of construction in 2024, a series of stakeholder meetings were held with businesses and institutions closest to plants.
• In early summer 2024, MSDPC hosted virtual public meetings for each location to update the community near each plant.

Public meeting recordings are available for review below. We encourage you to watch these sessions to stay informed about the project and discussions that took place.

Understanding the Importance of the Bissell and Lemay Wastewater Treatment Plants

The Bissell Point and Lemay wastewater treatment facilities are MSDPC’s two largest operations. These sites include the existing biosolid stabilization facilities, and their replacements will be in the same locations.

Bissell Point is located on the Mississippi River, in an industrial area of north St. Louis city. The site is the location of St. Louis’ first major water treatment facility, completed in 1869. Thomas Whitman, brother of poet Walt Whitman, was chief engineer for its construction. Since 1970, Bissell has been MSDPC’s largest wastewater treatment operation.