Omohundro WTP:

Where History Meets Innovation

The Omohundro Water Treatment Plant has been a vital part of Nashville’s infrastructure since 1888, making it one of the oldest continuously operating facilities of its kind in the nation. Originally built to serve a growing post-Civil War population, it drew water from the Cumberland River, filtered it using advanced methods for the time, and distributed it through a newly developed underground system. Named for city engineer Charles A. Omohundro, the plant reflects Nashville’s early investment in public health and long-term planning. More than 130 years later, it continues to supply clean water to hundreds of thousands, standing as a rare example of 19th-century engineering still in active service.

Project at a Glance

• Location: Nashville, TN
• Owner: Metro Water Services
• Client: Sundt Construction
• Facility Type: Water Treatment Plant
• Project Focus: Electrical infrastructure to support expansion and modernization

About the Project

Stansell Electric is supporting the Omohundro Water Treatment Plant Process Advancements by providing key electrical infrastructure needed to modernize and expand the facility. Working in partnership with Sundt Construction, our team is installing new electrical systems, upgrading existing electrical infrastructure, and replacing existing gear with new.

Our work helps keep the facility fully operational as the new treatment system takes shape. The project strikes a balance between progress and preservation, strengthening the plant’s ability to provide clean water while honoring its historical significance.

Challenges and Solutions:

Executing major upgrades within an active, legacy facility is no small task. Our team is working through challenges tied to both the facility’s age and the complexity of the site.

Key Challenges Include:

• Creating an Injury Free workspace for our crews
• Maintaining plant operations while construction is underway
• Coordinating clearly with multiple trades in a confined, high-traffic area
• Managing labor and material logistics in real time

Our solutions are grounded in collaboration and planning. We hold ongoing strategy sessions with the Owner, Engineers, and General Contractor to ensure safe sequencing, material readiness, and alignment with broader project goals. Clear communication and jobsite flexibility were essential to navigating this multifaceted environment.

Why It Matters:

This project strengthens a core piece of Nashville’s infrastructure while keeping vital public services running. As the city grows, its systems must grow with it. The Omohundro Water Treatment Plant continues to serve hundreds of thousands of residents, and these upgrades ensure it can meet increasing demand well into the future.

Our team is proud to help build the next chapter of this historic facility with the same care and commitment that have defined it since 1888.