City breaks ground on $517 million project at treatment plant
HONOLULU – Mayor Rick Blangiardi and the Department of Environmental Services broke ground today at the Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant kicking off a $517 million construction project aimed at revitalizing and upgrading the facility.
“This project is a testament to the city’s dedication to improving infrastructure, embracing sustainability, and ensuring a cleaner, healthier future for Honolulu,” Mayor Blangiardi said. “As the plant undergoes this transformative phase, we look forward to the positive impact it will have on our community and the environment.”
The project targets the overhaul of the existing pre-treatment, primary treatment, and solids processing systems, which have been in operation since the 1970s. Notable improvements include the revitalization of the pre-treatment process to enhance protection against inorganic debris. Major enhancements to the primary treatment and solids processing systems are also on the horizon, focusing on increasing efficiency while generating valuable biogas.
“The plant is a critical infrastructure asset for our community, and these upgrades show our commitment to sustainability and resource recovery. The biogas produced by the upgraded systems will be recovered and utilized to generate heat and electricity for use within the plant, reducing demand on Oahu’s energy grid, reducing operating costs, and aligning with the city’s goals for renewable energy and reduced environmental impact,” Roger Babcock, ENV Director, said.
The project, officially named the Honouliuli WWTP Phase 1C – Headworks, High-Rate Biological Contractor (HRBC), Solids Process and Miscellaneous Improvements, has been awarded to the renowned Hensel Phelps Construction Company. This six-year endeavor will be executed into three strategic phases, encompassing the installation and testing of electrical, structural, and mechanical systems. Additionally, the project will involve grading, infrastructure development, and underground piping, along with the decommissioning and demolition of existing facilities.
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