Problem

The City of Wheatland, Missouri, was facing severe inflow and infiltration issues that strained its wastewater system and compromised lagoon performance. Aging infrastructure and limited resources made comprehensive repair seem out of reach, until federal ARPA funding provided a rare opportunity to act.

City leaders needed a solution that could deliver measurable improvement quickly, protect their investment long-term, and remain cost-effective for a small community budget.

Solution

The city partnered with Midwest Infrastructure Coatings (MIC), an OBIC-certified installer serving Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and northeast Texas. Known for precision, efficiency and high-quality workmanship, MIC developed a plan to line virtually every manhole in Wheatland.

Over the course of four months, MIC:

  • Rehabilitated 260 manholes, all but two in the city
  • Lined approximately 1,100 vertical feet of manhole surface
  • Repaired the main lift station, 6 feet in diameter and 20 feet deep

To stop groundwater infiltration, eliminate leaks, and extend the life of the concrete and brick structures, OBIC Armor Multi-Layer System was applied:

  • OBIC 1000 polyurea base layer provided superior adhesion and moisture sealing
  • OBIC 1306 polyurethane foam layer added structural support and durability
  • OBIC 1000 topcoat delivered a seamless, corrosion resistant finish

Result

The results were immediate and measurable. Following completion, city officials observed a significant reduction in lagoon fluctuation during heavy rainfall events, an early indication that I&I had been drastically reduced.

An independent engineering firm is now conducting a formal flow study to quantify the results, but early feedback from city leadership highlights:

  • Noticeable improvement in system stability during wet weather
  • Reduced stress on treatment operations
  • Extended infrastructure lifespan without costly replacement

For a small community like Wheatland, the combination of strategic funding, local leadership, and OBIC technology provided lasting benefits that will serve residents for decades.