Pasco holds grand opening for resource recovery center

The city of Pasco, Washington, Burnham RNG and project partners Biogas Engineering, Cascade Natural Gas, Gross-Wen Technologies, Sustainable Energy Ventures, Swinerton Energy and Xylem held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Process Water Reuse Facility (PWRF) and Pasco Resource Recovery Center (PRRC) on March 22, 2025.

An aerial model view of the Pasco Resource Recovery Center used to adapt to rising industrial discharge demands in the community.

Top Projects

Pasco adapts to rising industrial demands with new facility

The PRCC will advance treatment for the city while simultaneously producing clean, renewable energy for nearly 4,500 homes.

PRWF quick facts

1.6 billion gallons: amount of process water PWRF can now reuse annually
35 million gallons: capacity of each of the two new anaerobic digesters
450 million gallons: capacity of irrigation water holding ponds
Eight: number of food processing plants sending process water for treatment
4,500: approximate number of homes that could be supplied with renewable
natural gas every year thanks to the PRRC (330,000 MMBtu/year of renewable
natural gas produced)
42,000 square feet: size of the greenhouse where the RAB system will use algae
to reduce nitrogen in the process water and take carbon dioxide out of the air.
$180 million: total cost of the project
300: estimated number of construction jobs created

“This facility is truly cutting-edge,” said Maria Serra, Pasco public works director, in a press release. “By repurposing water from food processing plants, we’re improving our environmental impact, meeting state and federal environmental standards, and harnessing valuable resources like renewable natural gas, all while sharing costs with industry partners.”

The facility transforms process water from seven local food processing plants into multiple beneficial resources. Through a combination of processes, the PRCC generates renewable natural gas (RNG), nutrient-rich soil amendments, algae for use in bioproducts, and returns clean water to be used for agricultural irrigation.

The expansion of system users in the Pasco area, including the addition of Darigold, is driving increased demand for process water treatment.

The upgraded PWRF will increase treatment capacity. Pasco has entered a strategic 30-year public-private partnership with Burnham RNG who built, owns and operates the PRRC.

“This project does much more than treat wastewater; it unlocks long-term value for the City of Pasco and its industries,” said Chris Tynan, Burnham RNG CEO, in a press release. “By integrating advanced treatment, nutrient recovery, and energy production, we and our partners have built a system that makes wastewater a financial and environmental asset.”