Wausau Drinking Water Treatment Facility

Wausau, WI 
Delivery Method: General Contractor

The Wausau Drinking Water Treatment Facility is a cutting-edge, 7,218-square-foot plant designed to tackle one of today’s toughest water challenges: removing PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” from the municipal water supply. Serving nearly 40,000 residents daily, this facility ensures clean, safe, and reliable drinking water while supporting local industry and economic growth. 

At its core are advanced granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration vessels, engineered to capture PFAS compounds with precision. Each vessel, weighing over 25,000 pounds, required meticulous planning for installation, including the use of a 300-ton crane and detailed coordination among trade partners. The construction team overcame tight site constraints, blind lifts, and complex safety protocols to deliver the tanks with tolerances measured in inches. 

The facility also integrates a sophisticated network of pumps, chemical feed systems, and automated controls, allowing operators to monitor and optimize performance in real time. Engineers navigated challenges like routing systems within a compact footprint and coordinating tie-ins to the city’s live water distribution system without service interruptions. 

This project represents a significant step forward in public health and environmental stewardship, providing Wausau residents with confidence in their water quality and setting a benchmark for other communities addressing PFAS contamination.