LTU Receives Third Wastewater Award for Biogas to Fuel Project

Published on September 16, 2021

Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU) Wastewater System today announced it has received the Engineering News Record Regional Best Projects 2021 Water Award of Merit. This is the third award LTU has won for its sustainable project to turn biogas into renewable natural gas that is used as vehicle fuel.

The project was completed in fall 2020 and is expected to provide $2.6 million in revenue to the wastewater facility annually. Revenue collected from local and national fuel sales is reinvested back into Lincoln Wastewater System to assist with operations and maintenance costs.

Previously, the LTU Wastewater System received the 2020 Nebraska Water Environmental Association Scott Wilber Award for excellence in facility operation, and maintenance of large and medium advanced municipal facilities while maintaining environmental compliance. Lincoln Wastewater System’s Theresa Street Facility also received the Special Innovation Award for its work with biogas recovery and the generation of renewable natural gas to be injected into Black Hills Energy pipeline in November 2020.

“For this project to be acknowledged a third time is a huge accomplishment,” said Donna Garden, Assistant Director of Utilities. “Our teammates’ forward-thinking and innovative work illustrates our efforts to remain resilient, safe, and efficient through our day-to-day operations and maintenance at our facilities.”

Lincoln Wastewater System’s two facilities implement innovative programs to effectively recover and treat approximately 32 million gallons of wastewater each day.

For more information on these awards, contact Todd Boling, LTU Lincoln Wastewater System at 402-441-7965, tboling@lincoln.ne.gov.