Award" from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies. This award is presented to member agencies for exceptional compliance for their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit limits. Sludge treatment DC Water began operating its thermal hydrolysis system, for improved treatment of sewage sludge, in 2015. This is the largest thermal hydrolysis facility in the world as of 2016. The system generates high quality sludge that is used as soil amendments (200,000 tons/year). A portion of the sludge is processed in an anaerobic digestion system which generates 10 MW of electricity that is used elsewhere at the treatment plant. History The original Blue Plains facility opened in 1937 as a primary treatment facility. It discharged under 100 mgd, serving a population of 650,000. Population increases in the 1950s led to the construction of secondary treatment units in 1959, with an expanded discharge capacity of 240 mgd. In the 1970s a major expansion commenced that led to construction of advanced wastewater treatment components, and by 1983 the capacity was 300 mgd. References External links Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant at The Living New Deal Buildings and structures in Washington, D.C. Potomac River Sewage treatment plants in the United States 1938 establishments in Washington, D.C. Southwest (Washington, D.C.) Public Works Administration in Washington, D.C.