Late on Jan. 3, 2018, the Blue River Wastewater Treatment plant in Kansas City, Mo., suffered a gas explosion, causing significant damage.
The source of the blast came after a build-up of methane gas occurred, which is a byproduct of the wastewater treatment process. Despite the incident, the plant was able to avoid shutting down, remaining operational while continuing to treat wastewater.
Many wastewater treatment plants are utilizing new approaches and technologies in order to convert methane gas to produce electricity and thermal energry.
The explosion, which occurred around 10:30 p.m., was responded to by the Kansas City Fire Department soon thereafter after reports of an explosion and partial building collapse. However, the blast only damaged a hallway and stairwell, and the responding firefighters only had to put out a small fire.
No one was harmed or injured as a result of the incident, and Kansas City Water was in the process of assessing the overall damage the following morning.
The exact cause of the explosion is being investigated.