Tetra Tech Secures $8 Million Contract for Major Wastewater Treatment Modernization in Gloucester, Massachusetts
Tetra Tech, Inc., a globally recognized leader in high-end consulting and engineering services focused on water, environment, and sustainable infrastructure, has officially been awarded an $8 million contract by the City of Gloucester, Massachusetts. The contract will enable Tetra Tech to provide comprehensive engineering design and technical services for a transformative wastewater treatment modernization program—one that represents a significant investment in the city’s public infrastructure and environmental stewardship.
This initiative marks a pivotal milestone for Gloucester, a historic coastal city with deep ties to the fishing industry and maritime heritage, as it takes bold steps to upgrade and future-proof its Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF). Notably, Gloucester’s facility is one of the few remaining primary treatment plants in the United States. The upcoming modernization effort, which is part of a larger $100 million investment, will bring the facility into alignment with 21st-century treatment standards by incorporating advanced secondary treatment technologies and sustainable design principles.
The Need for Modernization
Gloucester’s existing wastewater infrastructure has served the community for decades but is now facing the challenges of aging equipment, evolving regulatory requirements, and increasing vulnerability to climate change impacts such as sea level rise and severe storms. Primary treatment systems, which remove only solids and floating materials from wastewater, are no longer considered sufficient to meet today’s environmental standards. Secondary treatment—designed to significantly reduce organic matter and pollutants using biological processes—is now the norm for modern wastewater facilities.
As environmental regulations become more stringent, particularly around nutrient discharge and water quality in ecologically sensitive coastal areas like the Massachusetts Bay, municipalities like Gloucester must invest in comprehensive upgrades to avoid penalties, maintain compliance, and safeguard community health and ecosystems.
Tetra Tech’s Role and Responsibilities
Tetra Tech will lead the planning and design for this ambitious modernization effort. Under the first phase of the project, the company’s engineers, environmental scientists, and technical specialists will develop a strategic plan that outlines the path to integrating secondary treatment into the facility. This includes preparing preliminary engineering designs, conducting permitting processes with relevant state and federal agencies, and providing detailed environmental assessments to ensure full compliance with regulatory frameworks such as the Clean Water Act and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).
A key component of Tetra Tech’s approach is their alternative design concept, which has been specifically tailored to Gloucester’s unique site conditions, operational constraints, and community priorities. The design not only addresses the need to meet new environmental standards but also minimizes disruption to ongoing operations during construction—an essential consideration for a facility that must remain functional throughout the upgrade process.
Moreover, Tetra Tech is leveraging its “Leading with Science®” methodology to develop a modernization strategy that is both innovative and sustainable. This approach integrates cutting-edge engineering practices, data analytics, climate adaptation planning, and community resilience strategies.
Innovation and Resilience in Design
One of the standout features of the proposed modernization is its emphasis on energy efficiency and cost reduction. Wastewater treatment plants are among the most energy-intensive public utilities, and optimizing energy use is critical to long-term operational sustainability. Tetra Tech’s design incorporates energy-saving technologies, smart monitoring systems, and potential options for renewable energy integration such as solar arrays or combined heat and power systems.
Resilience is another core theme of the project. Given Gloucester’s coastal location, the facility is vulnerable to flooding, storm surges, and saltwater intrusion—threats that are expected to intensify with climate change. Tetra Tech is incorporating robust flood protection measures into the design, such as elevating critical infrastructure, reinforcing structural components, and planning for sea-level rise scenarios using predictive modeling.
These upgrades will not only enhance the durability of the facility but will also ensure that the city can maintain wastewater treatment services during extreme weather events—critical to protecting public health, property, and the environment.
Community and Environmental Benefits
The broader community stands to benefit significantly from this modernization. By upgrading the WPCF to a secondary treatment facility, Gloucester will drastically improve the quality of its treated effluent—meaning cleaner water is released into the surrounding environment, including the Massachusetts Bay estuary, a biologically rich and economically important marine ecosystem.
Improved water quality supports biodiversity, enhances recreational opportunities, and contributes to the long-term sustainability of Gloucester’s fisheries—an industry that plays a vital role in the city’s economy and cultural identity. Additionally, a more efficient and modern facility reduces the risk of untreated or partially treated sewage overflows, which can have severe public health consequences and environmental repercussions.
Economic Impact and Long-Term Vision
Beyond the environmental benefits, the modernization project represents a significant economic investment in the city. The $8 million contract awarded to Tetra Tech is part of a larger estimated $100 million project cost. This will generate local jobs across planning, construction, and long-term operations while ensuring that Gloucester’s infrastructure is ready to support future population growth and economic development.
Tetra Tech’s involvement also brings added value in the form of long-term planning expertise. Their technical team will help Gloucester develop a roadmap for sustainable wastewater management over the coming decades, including provisions for future regulatory compliance, expansion capacity, and adaptive management techniques.
By choosing a forward-thinking, science-driven firm like Tetra Tech, the City of Gloucester is setting a powerful example of proactive municipal leadership in infrastructure modernization, sustainability, and climate resilience.
A Statement from Tetra Tech Leadership
In response to the contract award, Dan Batrack, Chairman and CEO of Tetra Tech, emphasized the company’s commitment to delivering high-impact solutions that meet today’s most pressing environmental challenges.
“Tetra Tech is pleased to use our Leading with Science® approach to support the City of Gloucester in transforming its wastewater treatment facility,” Batrack said. “We look forward to continuing to deliver exceptional value to the City of Gloucester, supporting critical infrastructure and protecting water quality in the Massachusetts Bay estuary.”
This sentiment reflects the company’s broader mission of providing innovative solutions to complex environmental problems, as well as its focus on building long-term partnerships with municipalities, utilities, and government agencies.
Headquartered in Pasadena, California, Tetra Tech has a global footprint and a diverse portfolio that spans water, environment, sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, and international development. With more than 27,000 employees worldwide, the company offers end-to-end services that range from strategic planning and engineering design to program management and technology solutions.
Tetra Tech’s work is guided by a commitment to scientific excellence, client service, and environmental responsibility. Their “Leading with Science®” motto reflects a deep investment in research, innovation, and data-driven decision-making.
