Olathe, KS Cedar Creek Plant Boasts The First In-Line Fermenter In The Country

The City of Olathe is located just outside of Kansas City and is home to a growing population of 126,000, making Olathe the fifth most populous city in Kansas. Residents depend on the local Cedar Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to meet their water demand.

Several years ago, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began an initiative in the Mississippi River basin to control excess amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution entering the Gulf of Mexico through watersheds and point sources such as municipal wastewater treatment plants.

A booming agriculture industry using copious amounts of pesticides was one of the primary contributors of excess nutrients being introduced into lakes, rivers, and even ground water resources. States located in the heart of farm land were under pressure to restore their surface water quality. Kansas, a leader in wheat, grain, and beef production, was under scrutiny due to the state’s 244 streams and 187 reservoirs with nutrient related impairments.