Copper Creek Sewer Interceptor Relocation Named Environmental Project of the Year by APWA Nebraska

The Copper Creek Sewer Interceptor Relocation project has earned the 2025 American Public Works Association (APWA) Nebraska Chapter Project of the Year Award in the environmental category. This critical infrastructure project was recognized for transforming an at-risk wastewater interceptor carrying 35 million gallons of flow daily into a flood-resistant system with extended service life.

In early 2020, the City of Omaha contracted Benesch to assess the feasibility, value and potential alternative solutions to rehabilitate, relocate or replace a 90-inch, steel aerial sewer crossing Copper Creek. This aerial crossing was part of a primary trunk sewer line, owned and operated by the City of Omaha, which carried flow to the Papillion Creek Water Resource Recovery facility. The 90-inch RCP interceptor located beneath the surface was constructed in the early 1970s and was reaching the end of its expected service life, creating an increased risk of a loss of service and sewage flows entering the creeks and reaching Waters of the State, a violation of the Clean Water Act.

To address these issues, the Copper Creek Sewer Interceptor Relocation project relocated the interceptor outside of the levee, which included constructing a multi-barrel siphon, to the east, away from the confluence of the two creeks. In addition, the aerial pipe was removed and the interceptor abandoned with flowable fill concrete.

Because the project works to minimize the risk associated with a pipe failure under the levee and at the aerial crossing that could result from high water elevations and flows due to a large storm event, it qualified for FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The project also received funding from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery grant funds.

On Tuesday, November 4, members of the project team attended the Annual Joint Fall Conference NE Chapter APWA Banquet to accept the award and celebrate the projects that represent the best achievements in the public works profession in the State of Nebraska.