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Poultry Processing Wastewater Pre-Treatment System Design

Hixson designs poultry processing wastewater pre-treatment systems that help plants manage high BOD/COD, FOG, blood proteins, suspended solids, pathogens, and variable production flows. Our integrated architecture and engineering teams align treatment strategy, permitting, utilities, controls, and constructability so processors can protect operations, reduce compliance risk, and plan confidently for growth.

Poultry wastewater pre-treatment system

Our Poultry Processing Wastewater Services

Integrated wastewater engineering for poultry processors, from characterization and pretreatment through permitting, controls, and startup support.

Wastewater Pretreatment

Design of poultry wastewater pretreatment systems addressing high BOD/COD, fats, oils, greases, blood proteins, solids, and pathogens using practical, compliance-focused treatment strategies.

DAF Systems

Dissolved air flotation system planning, sizing, and integration to remove FOG and suspended solids before downstream biological treatment or POTW discharge.

Flow Equalization

Equalization system design to stabilize flow, pH, temperature, and organic loading from variable poultry processing shifts, sanitation cycles, and production changes.

Biological Treatment

Anaerobic and aerobic treatment evaluation and design for high-strength poultry wastewater streams where additional BOD/COD reduction is required.

Sludge Management

Sludge handling and dewatering planning for screenings, DAF float, and biological solids, coordinated with facility layouts and operational workflows.

Discharge Permitting

Engineering support for wastewater discharge permitting, POTW coordination, NPDES considerations, and compliance planning integrated early in system design.

Engineer reviewing wastewater treatment plans

Our Wastewater Design Process

Define Wastewater Loads and Goals

We begin by characterizing poultry process streams, production schedules, sanitation flows, discharge limits, and expansion plans. This establishes the design basis for BOD/COD, FOG, solids, pathogens, hydraulics, and operating flexibility.

Develop Treatment Strategy Options

Integrate Process, Utilities, and Controls

Support Permitting and Documentation

Assist Construction and Startup

Trusted By Processors

Proven Project Experience

Hixson supports leading food and beverage manufacturers with integrated engineering for complex facility challenges.

"Very cool place with nice employees."

RaiderGreg
RaiderGreg

"Love it."

Zachary Waas
Zachary Waas

"Great Group of people. Thank You for supporting Special Olympics!"

Rebekah Travis
Rebekah Travis

"Very cool place with nice employees."

RaiderGreg
RaiderGreg

"Love it."

Zachary Waas
Zachary Waas

"Great Group of people. Thank You for supporting Special Olympics!"

Rebekah Travis
Rebekah Travis

"Very cool place with nice employees."

RaiderGreg
RaiderGreg

"Love it."

Zachary Waas
Zachary Waas

"Great Group of people. Thank You for supporting Special Olympics!"

Rebekah Travis
Rebekah Travis
The Hixson Difference

Why Choose Hixson?

Hixson brings deep food processing experience and fully integrated technical resources to wastewater challenges.

75+ Years

Founded in 1948, Hixson brings decades of specialized food and beverage facility experience.

Integrated Disciplines

Twenty in-house technical disciplines coordinate process, utilities, controls, civil, and compliance details.

Food Expertise

Meat and poultry experience supports sanitary design, FSIS expectations, and production-driven wastewater realities.

Risk Reduction

Early planning, permitting awareness, and constructable design help reduce operational and compliance risk.

Meet Hixson’s Engineering Team

Discipline leaders guide complex wastewater and facility projects.

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John Brockmeier P.E.

Manager, Plumbing Systems & Fire Protection Engineering

John oversees the department responsible for the design and engineering of plumbing systems and fire protection engineering for a variety of project types, including new construction, building utility upgrades, utility capacity analyses, and process line additions. John and his team work with a range of systems, including domestic water, process water, hot water production, direct contact water heaters, high pressure/rinse water, compressed air, natural gas, sanitary drainage, process drainage, central sanitation systems, fire pumps, and fire sprinkler systems.

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Craig Cheevers

Manager, Controls & Automation Engineering

As the Manager of Hixson's Controls & Automation department, Craig guides the team responsible for designing, implementing, and commissioning advanced control systems and automation solutions. His responsibilities include overseeing the development of automation strategies that streamline manufacturing processes, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure seamless integration of new and existing systems.

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Warren Green, P.E.

Manager, Process Engineering

Warren leads the team providing processing design services, process optimization studies, and process commissioning and FAT, SAT, and IQ activities. He advises on waste, energy, and GHG emissions reductions, and conducts safety and dust evaluations, including PSM/HAZOP. His expertise spans all food and beverage sectors including fluid, dried and cultured dairy products, processed meat, flavors, and prepared foods. Warren is also on the IDFA Food Safety Committee and actively participates in the 3A, SSI steering committee, and work groups.

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Steve Guyer, P.E.

Manager, Civil Engineering

In his role as Manager of Civil Engineering, Steve leads the team responsible for the planning, design, and engineering of roads, stormwater hydraulics and modeling, and onsite utilities. On project work, Steve is responsible for civil site project design, specifications, technical design, and project coordination with the client, government regulatory bodies, outside consultants, and contractors. As a senior staff member with our firm, Steve also serves as a mentor to newer associates.

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Chris Jarc, P.E., PMP, LEED AP

Vice President & Director, Project Management Services

Chris, a Hixson officer and member of the Board of Directors, oversees Hixson’s Project Management, Cost Estimating, and Construction Administration departments. Chris also serves in a project management role, leading teams consisting of representatives from the client, Hixson, contractors, and vendors to effective project completion. Chris assumes overall responsibility for development of project delivery strategies, coordination of all Hixson disciplines, and facilitating effective communication and management to focus resources on delivering high-quality projects on time and within budget.

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Dave Klenk

Manager, Mechanical Engineering

Dave brings more than three decades of experience to his role as the Manager of Hixson’s Mechanical Engineering Department. His work has included the design and project management of new facilities, as well as modification of existing facilities for high technology and food processing industries. At a corporate level, Dave is a member of Hixson’s Dairy and Beverage Industry team, which works to continuously improve the value Hixson offers to the dairy industry through development of our knowledge base, services and capabilities.

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Kyle McAllister

Manager, Electrical Engineering

Kyle serves as the Manager of Hixson’s Electrical Engineering department. In this role, he oversees the team responsible for the creation and delivery of electrical designs. This includes the design of high, medium, and low voltage power distribution, lighting, telecommunications, and fire alarm systems. Kyle brings more than 15 years of experience in electrical consulting and design to his role. Areas in which Kyle specializes include electrically hazardous area classification, high- and medium-voltage power distribution, protective relaying, arc flash studies, harmonics analysis, cogeneration design, emergency systems design, and complex laboratory designs.

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Scott McGlamery, P.E.

Senior Vice President, and Director, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering

Scott, an officer of the firm, leads the teams responsible for mechanical and electrical project tasks and design, specifications, technical content, consultation during equipment selection and installation and systems start-up assistance. In addition, Scott also serves as the Quality Assurance Manager, overseeing the firm’s commitment to quality. Over Scott’s more than three decades of experience, he has worked on greenfield, brownfield, and renovation projects for food & beverage plants in all sectors, labs, pharma & biotech facilities, and workplace projects.

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Scott Wever

Manager, Manufacturing Engineering

In his role as Manager of Hixson’s Manufacturing Engineering department, Scott leads the team responsible for project consulting and coordination between client, vendor, and internal disciplines within Hixson for overall manufacturing processes, functionality, equipment, and layouts. These team members develop process flow diagrams, equipment lists, and preliminary utility requirements, as well as develop equipment layouts that range from high level master planning to detailed construction documents. In addition to this role, Scott is a member of Hixson’s Meat Industry advisory team, focusing on technologies related to the meat and plant protein industry.

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Derek Wojcikowski

Director of Architecture

Derek is the Director of Hixson’s Architecture department. In this role, Derek leads the teams who design projects for our Food & Beverage, Pharma & Biotech, Laboratory, and Workplace clients. Previously, Derek served as the Manager of Hixson’s Process Layout department, where he directed the team that plays a critical coordination role in the overall development of process models and the 3D equipment model management process. Prior to these management roles, Derek, who began his career with Hixson in 2008, served as a Project Architect.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is poultry processing wastewater pre-treatment system design?

Poultry processing wastewater pre-treatment system design is the engineering of equipment, tanks, piping, controls, and operating strategies used to reduce pollutant loads before discharge or downstream treatment. For poultry plants, this commonly means addressing FOG, blood proteins, suspended solids, high BOD/COD, sanitation chemicals, variable flows, and sludge. The goal is reliable compliance without disrupting production.

What contaminants must a poultry wastewater pretreatment system address?

Which technologies are commonly used for poultry wastewater pretreatment?

How do you size a poultry wastewater pre-treatment system?

Can pretreatment help with POTW discharge permit compliance?

How does DAF fit into poultry wastewater treatment?

What information is needed to start a wastewater design project?

Can an existing poultry plant be retrofitted with pretreatment?

Still Have Wastewater Questions?

Connect with Hixson’s engineering team to discuss your facility goals.

Recognized & Trusted

Awards and Recognition

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Great Place to Work

Certified culture supporting long-term technical talent.

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Rising Giants

Interior Design magazine ranked Hixson No. 178.

Top sector firm recognition logo

Top Sector Firm

Recognized across food, science, and workplace sectors.

Plan Your Wastewater Pre-Treatment System

Share your poultry processing goals, discharge requirements, and facility constraints. Hixson will help identify the right engineering path forward.

Contact Us Today

For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at +1 513-241-1230. You can also send us a quick email at info@hixson-inc.com.