Burns & McDonnell Completes Major Wastewater Expansion in Southwest Missouri
Date Posted: November 3, 2026
Posted In: Projects,
Burns & McDonnell has completed a major wastewater treatment expansion in Republic, Missouri, featuring the state’s largest membrane bioreactor system as part of a $145 million infrastructure improvement program.
Republic is a rapidly growing community in southwest Missouri, approximately 12 miles southwest of Springfield and about 220 miles southwest of St. Louis. The city is part of the Springfield metropolitan area.
City officials and project partners celebrated the expansion of Republic’s Water Reclamation Facility with an Oct. 29 ribbon-cutting. The improvements increase treatment capacity to 5 million gallons per day, supporting continued residential and commercial development while addressing environmental regulatory requirements.
The project is one of five coordinated improvements to Republic’s wastewater infrastructure. The broader $145 million program includes upgrades to handle peak wet-weather flows, approximately 13,000 feet of new gravity sewer serving the Brookline corridor, and improvements to two lift station facilities.
Republic has experienced substantial economic growth, adding more than 3,000 jobs and attracting over $700 million in capital investment during the past five years. Its population is projected to double over the next two decades.
A Progressive Design-Build Approach
Burns & McDonnell has worked with Republic since 2017, when the firm began developing a comprehensive water and wastewater master plan.
For the expansion, the city used progressive design-build for the first time, integrating design, procurement and construction into a coordinated process.
When initial cost estimates exceeded the budget, the project team employed value engineering to reduce costs while preserving treatment objectives.
Early procurement of critical equipment helped maintain the construction schedule. Phased commissioning allowed new treatment systems to come online while the existing plant remained operational.
The membrane bioreactor system combines biological wastewater treatment with membrane filtration, providing high-quality treatment in a relatively compact footprint.
The project also required coordination with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources on permitting, regulatory compliance and financing. Funding included state revolving fund loans, revenue bonds and direct allocations.
The expansion positions Republic to accommodate continued economic development while meeting its wastewater treatment obligations.
Burns & McDonnell, a 100% employee-owned engineering and construction firm headquartered in Kansas City, maintains a significant St. Louis regional presence, with offices in Chesterfield and O’Fallon, Illinois.