Ransom Canyon New Wastewater Treatment Plant Receives TSPE South Plains Trailblazer Award for Design Excellence
Parkhill has received the Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) South Plains Chapter Trailblazer Award for the Town of Ransom Canyon New Wastewater Treatment Plant, recognizing the project’s outstanding engineering design, innovation, and community impact.
The award was presented at the TSPE South Plains Annual Banquet in Lubbock on February 17, 2026, where Parkhill representatives accepted the honor alongside Town of Ransom Canyon Mayor Val Meixner. Presented annually, the Trailblazer Award recognizes the region’s top engineering project, product, or invention based on design and planning merit, project execution, creativity, and contributions to the community.
Engineering Solutions for a Complex Site
The Town of Ransom Canyon’s new wastewater treatment plant showcases how innovative engineering can address challenging site conditions while delivering long-term benefits to a community.
Located behind a dam on a narrow site with complex geotechnical conditions, the project required creative thinking and careful coordination from design through construction. The result is a modern, resilient facility that supports the town’s future growth while protecting the natural character of the canyon.
Key project features include:
- Advanced Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) technology, providing highly efficient wastewater treatment within a compact footprint well suited to the constrained site.
- More than 100 rammed-aggregate piers installed to stabilize challenging soil conditions and provide long-term structural reliability.
- Monolithic concrete basin construction, including two large SBR basins poured in a single day using two concrete pump trucks and approximately 40 concrete deliveries.
- Ultraviolet disinfection systems replacing gaseous chlorine, improving safety for plant operators and the surrounding community.
- Repurposed existing infrastructure, including the conversion of components from the previous treatment plant into a sludge digester, reducing waste and maximizing value.
Protecting Service While Building for the Future
Beyond its technical accomplishments, the project was carefully phased to maintain uninterrupted wastewater treatment operations throughout construction. This approach ensured continued protection of public health while allowing critical infrastructure improvements to move forward.
Today, the facility provides a sustainable, efficient solution that will serve the Town of Ransom Canyon for decades while supporting environmental stewardship and community resilience.
A Recognition of Teamwork and Collaboration
The Trailblazer Award reflects the collective efforts of a dedicated team of engineers, designers, and project professionals who worked closely with the Town of Ransom Canyon to deliver a successful outcome.