Building Flood Resilience Through Innovation

In response to the devastating 2019 floods that damaged the original wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Plattsmouth, NE, the city embarked on a large-scale infrastructure project to rebuild and future-proof its wastewater operations. Interstates played a pivotal role in the success of this effort, delivering a complete electrical installation across two new sites designed to withstand future flooding events. 

"This project was about more than just replacing infrastructure; it was about building resilience for the community," says Britton Hulme, Senior Project Manager at Interstates. "We were proud to be a part of delivering a modern, flood-resistant solution." 

A Two-Site, Greenfield Challenge 

The new facilities are split between a Raw Wastewater Pumping Station (RWPS) in downtown Plattsmouth and a new WWTP located over four miles away. Both locations were constructed at elevations designed to mitigate flood risk, with the RWPS elevated above expected flood levels and the WWTP moved entirely out of the floodplain. "This was the first greenfield WWTP project for our Omaha team," says Hulme. "To prepare, we visited several Interstates-led projects in Colorado¹ to learn firsthand what to expect and how to approach it effectively." 

Interstates Foreman Khyle Burnham managed daily operations across both sites. "Our scope included all electrical systems, including lighting, MCCs, instrumentation, and power distribution. We also installed backup generators with automatic transfer switches to keep the system running through outages," says Burnham. "The dual-site nature of the job made planning and coordination especially critical." 

Innovation and Field Leadership

The Interstates team used advanced tools such as CUPIX for 3D camera walks to improve visibility and communication with stakeholders. "CUPIX allowed us to bring remote team members and engineers onto the job virtually," says Hulme. "That real-time visibility helped us solve issues faster and more accurately." Drawing on lessons learned from other Interstates projects, the team proposed replacing PVC-coated rigid galvanized conduit with aluminum rigid conduit, saving the client both time and money. "That recommendation was based on experience and had a measurable impact on the schedule and budget," says Hulme. 

Prefabrication also played a key role. "We prefabbed the entire underground conduit rack for the blower building's 70'x10' electric room, which included nearly 100 conduits. Prefabrication ensured complete accuracy in the placement of each conduit. Due to its size, the rack was craned into place in multiple sections and reconnected at designated joint locations on-site. This approach significantly streamlined installation and ensured precise alignment with the final layout," says Burnham. "That also saved considerable time and minimized disruption on-site." 

For hard-to-reach instruments at the Sequencing Batch Reactor, the team used a small boat for installation—an unusual approach that required new safety protocols and plans. "It was a first for us," says Hulme, "but our safety team helped us execute it effectively." 

Filling the Gaps and Building for the Future 

Though Interstates wasn't responsible for the original engineering or integration, both Hulme and Burnham noted the importance of stepping in to resolve control and design gaps. "There were areas where the specified equipment wouldn't have arrived in time or wouldn't have worked as intended," says Hulme. "We took a proactive approach, leading meetings, identifying solutions, and keeping the project moving." 

Burnham adds, "We helped with VFD programming, coordinated motor interlocks, and resolved voltage mismatches among systems. We also led the effort to remedy discrepancies between the shown control wiring and the desired operation methods. This hands-on collaboration helped the system come together smoothly." 

The Plattsmouth WWTP project marks a milestone for the Omaha, NE Office and reinforces Interstates' commitment to supporting communities with reliable infrastructure solutions. Hulme says, "I'm proud that we earned the trust of our partners by consistently showing up, solving problems, and delivering results."