Investing in resilient infrastructure is essential for the health, safety, and growth of our communities. When a city faces repeated challenges, it’s not just about fixing what’s broken—it’s about building smarter for the future. The City of Reedsburg’s recent wastewater treatment plant upgrade is a powerful example of this commitment in action.
Twice in a decade. Once in 2008. Again in 2018.
The City of Reedsburg’s wastewater treatment plant flooded—each time pushing a system built in 1969 closer to its breaking point.
It was a wake-up call that forced the community to face a harsh reality: the plant had reached capacity and could no longer meet the growing demands of the city’s wastewater treatment needs.
To address these challenges, Reedsburg needed a sustainable solution—one built to withstand modern demands, adapt to changing climate patterns, and protect long-term community health.
That’s where Project A comes in.
This $109 million, multi-phase investment is more than a construction project—it’s a commitment to Reedsburg’s future. The plan includes:
Building a new, resilient wastewater treatment plant
Constructing a central lift station to move wastewater from the old to the new system
Demolishing outdated infrastructure that’s no longer safe or efficient
Because wastewater environments are chemically aggressive and biologically complex, this isn’t just any concrete job.
The structures must resist Microbial Induced Corrosion (MIC)—a destructive process caused by sewer bacteria that thrive in high-moisture, H₂S-rich environments.
The team used concrete mixes designed to be watertight and antimicrobial throughout the full depth of the concrete, not just at the surface.
Special thanks to Xypex for spotlighting this important project and contributing to the success of Reedsburg’s long-term wastewater infrastructure. Their waterproofing and antimicrobial concrete technology is a vital part of the solution. 👉 See the project featured on Xypex.com
Approximately 1,850 cubic yards of specialized concrete are being placed in the most exposed areas of the facility:
Screening channels
Grit chambers
Hauled waste tanks
Clarifier walls
Digester walls
These are the building blocks of a better system-designed to perform and built to last.
“Our highly skilled field team adapted seamlessly and executed flawlessly, producing a result that reflects the quality and craftsmanship C.D. Smith is known for,” said Project Engineer Cody Berger.
This isn’t just construction—it’s a complex, deeply engineered solution for a city with a history of flooding and a mindset for sustainable progress.
Reedsburg is building for resilience. And that’s something worth recognizing.
Municipal infrastructure projects like this protect natural resources, improve community health, and support future growth-work that has deep roots at C.D. Smith. It’s where we started, and it’s at the heart of what we do.
Want to learn more about our commitment to building better, stronger communities? Explore our civic and government projects.
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Date: April 2025 | Author: Tracy Lisowe
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