The vessels for the Cambi thermal hydrolysis train have been installed, though they are not yet operational, says Peot. Blue Plains plans to run its first biosolids through the new system by May 2014.

The denitrification project, valued at $950 million, will expand the capacity of nitrogen removal by adding more tanks. Eight new reactor tanks with a total capacity of 40 million gallons are being built specifically for denitrification. AECOM, Los Angeles, is the program manager, and CH2M Hill, Englewood, Colo., is the professional design engineer.

Work on that project is "on time and on budget," says Bailey, with completion set for spring or summer of 2014.