An aerial view of the CWRP

Designing the World’s Largest Ceramic Membrane Bioreactor

xAI Colossus Water Recycling Plant

Client

xAI Corporation

Location

Memphis, TN

Expertise

Water & Environment

Services

Wastewater Treatment Engineering, Water Reuse, Civil Engineering, Planning, Surveying

Accolades

Project accepted for presentation at prestigious biennial 2026 Singapore International Water Week (SIWW)

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As AI-driven computing demands surge, communities face growing pressure to support energy‑intensive data centers without compromising essential natural resources. Water demand for cooling data centers is one of the most significant challenges. In communities already grappling with aging and capacity-limited water infrastructure, cooling system potable water demands can place added strain on local utilities and drinking water supplies. 

To help Memphis meet these demands sustainably, Gresham Smith collaborated with xAI to lead the development of a water‑reuse strategy that protects the Memphis Sands Aquifer, the city’s sole source of drinking water, while supporting the planned Colossus Supercomputer Data Center. Partnering with the City of Memphis, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and local industry, the firm designed an innovative solution that transforms treated wastewater into a reliable industrial cooling resource. 

The result is the Colossus Water Recycling Plant, which will divert effluent from the T.E. Maxson Wastewater Treatment Facility and convert it into high‑quality reuse water. The project reduces pressure on local water supplies and delivers resilient infrastructure to support the region’s expanding AI technology sector. 

13
Ceramic MBR
20%
Reduction in Pollutant Load
First
Dedicated Water Reuse Facility in Tennessee
An interior view of the MBR tanks at the CWRP

Designing for Scale, Reliability and the Future 

Gresham Smith designed and permitted the Colossus Water Recycling Plant under Tennessee’s new reuse standards and to meet the cooling water requirements of local industry partners. Once operational, it will be the world’s largest ceramic membrane bioreactor (MBR) and Tennessee’s first facility dedicated to centralized reuse water production—delivering up to 13 million gallons per day of high-quality water to xAI’s Colossus Supercomputer campus and TVA’s Allen Combined Cycle Plant. 

By repurposing treated wastewater for cooling, the facility dramatically reduces the need for potable water and preserves approximately 5 billion gallons annually from the Memphis Sand Aquifer. Most of the reused water will be evaporated through cooling processes, and the remainder will return to the T.E. Maxson WWTF facility resulting in a reduction in pollutant load discharged to the Mississippi River. 

Overcoming Design Challenges Through Collaboration 

Building a facility of this magnitude required more than engineering expertise; it demanded new ways of thinking. The sheer number of treatment modules and tanks meant that every decision had to balance performance, operability, and long‑term maintenance. 

Gresham Smith worked hand‑in‑hand with xAI and the membrane manufacturer to develop a custom configuration that simplifies access, streamlines cleaning, and allows each tank to operate independently. This design ensures the plant can run continuously, reliably, and efficiently, which is a necessity for supporting high‑demand cooling operations tied to mission‑critical computing. 

A Regional Partnership with a Lasting Impact 

As only the third wastewater treatment plant with a secondary treatment system on the island of Guam, this project sets the standard for overcoming climate and site constraints and adhering to stringent design requirements set by the U.S. government to deliver an operationally efficient design solution that benefits residents of Guam. The upgraded treatment processes, particularly the biological secondary treatment and UV disinfection system, will improve the quality of the effluent discharged to the Philippine Sea, reducing the impacts to coral reefs and protecting the natural resources vital to Guam’s economy.

This initiative not only reduces our need to purchase water from MLGW for our nearby Allen Combined Cycle Plant, but it also eases demand on the region’s potable water system. By recycling water for cooling purposes, we’re helping to preserve drinking water for the community and advancing a solution that benefits both the environment and the Greater Memphis area. Don Moul Chief Executive Officer and President, Tennessee Valley Authority

A Model for What’s Possible

When complete, the Colossus Water Recycling Plant will stand as the world’s largest and most operator‑friendly ceramic membrane bioreactor and a national example of how strategic infrastructure design can support technological innovation without sacrificing environmental stewardship. 

By transforming wastewater into a reliable cooling resource, Gresham Smith and xAI helped the City of Memphis chart a path that protects its aquifer, supports its growing tech sector, and sets a new standard for sustainable data‑center development.