Jacobs Strengthens Operations and Maintenance Foothold in Northeast US

Jacobs was unanimously selected by the Town of Southbridge, Massachusetts, to operate and maintain the town’s 3.77 million-gallon-per-day wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), 48 miles of collection system and 11 lift stations. Under a five-year contract, Jacobs transitioned the operations of the WWTP from the previous contractor and assumed full operating responsibility on Feb. 1, 2025.

“The Town of Southbridge is excited to welcome Jacobs to both our team and our community,” says Town of Southbridge Director of Public Works Rich Benoit. “Southbridge was in need of a fresh start for our wastewater operations, and after undertaking a very competitive procurement process, we were able to select the company that we feel is best suited for our needs. Our team is confident that Jacobs will be a great partner as we work together to reinforce the successful operation of our wastewater system.”

“As a leader in the wastewater industry, we’re delighted to add the Town of Southbridge to our operations and maintenance (O&M) portfolio,” says Executive Director of Operations Kevin Dahl. “The contract award reflects the town’s confidence in our reputation for successfully delivering creative solutions and effective O&M services for communities nationwide.”

The productive partnership will leverage Jacobs’ unique strengths, specifically tailored to Southbridge’s needs. As part of the new contract, Jacobs will make significant investments in facility and system upgrades to improve operability and performance. 

“We’ll improve composting operations and compliance by implementing new screening equipment to reduce bulking material requirements and produce a high-quality, marketable product,” adds Kevin. This investment will allow for more efficient and timely distribution and the potential for revenue generation through product sales.

The contract delivery will also include an odor control and dispersion study. “As a responsible neighbor of the community, we understand the town’s concern about the odors produced from the solids handling process,” adds Kevin. Jacobs’ inhouse engineering team will collect data and propose an effective solution to reduce odors. 

“Our innovative approaches will allow us to provide a high level of performance and transparency for the town and enhance livability for 17,000 residents,” says Kevin. “We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the town and look forward to expanding our presence in the Northeast.”

The win marks Jacobs’ first O&M project in Massachusetts in recent years and reinforces Jacobs’ strong O&M presence in the Northeast, joining a portfolio of clients like the City of Waterbury, City of Wilmington, Town of Westerly, City of Baltimore and more.