A ground breaking ceremony for a brand new wastewater treatment facility in Pima County took place recently. The new plant will replace the old one built back in the 1950s.

It will be a state-of–the-art facility that will have tremendous odor control, noise and esthetics.

The new $215 million facility is slated to become fully operational by January, 2015.

CALIFORNIA

Guadalupe Will Seek Construction Bids for $4.5 Million Wastewater Project

Guadalupe took another step toward upgrading its wastewater treatment plant as the City Council considers seeking construction bids and purchasing equipment for the facility.

Guadalupe secured a $4.5 million Proposition 50 grant for a plant upgrade, and is in the process of rebuilding the plant, originally constructed in 1979 and expanded twice in 1992 and 2004 to keep pace with population growth and to improve performance.

Since the last upgrade, the plant has had difficulty maintaining proper biological balance to operate at peak efficiency, hence the need for the rebuild. It is currently operating at only about two-thirds of its 1 MGD discharge capacity.

Dudek Engineering is handling both design of the new system and grant administration for the city.

Because the city is working with grant funding through the Regional Water Quality Control Board, it is working on a compressed deadline and needs to complete the project by April 2012.

The city estimates construction of the upgrade to cost between $3.1 and $3.8 million. City Administrator Regan Candelario plans to open the bids Aug. 11, and hopes to have a recommendation to the council by its Aug. 23 meeting.

A significant portion of the project is the purchase of equipment for new headworks, dewatering and biological-treatment systems. Because the design is complete, the council also will consider approving the purchase of equipment for the three systems, deposits for which will total more than $63,000.

The equipment package recommended by Dudek Engineering could cost as much as $466,792, depending on the contractor chosen to provide the systems.

** ** **

Ridgecrest Planning $40 Million Wastewater Treatment Plant

The Ridgecrest City Council held a special meeting recently to discuss a potential wastewater treatment facility and sanitary sewer collection system.

Red Oak consulting firm representatives will attend and provide a presentation for a financial plan on the wastewater project.

In June Provost and Pritchard Consulting representatives attended the meeting to present information on their plans for a $40.7 million upgraded wastewater system project.

“This (Red Oak) is another company that would like to make a presentation different than what we’ve already heard. The consulting firm will share alternative options available, so we’re just looking at all options,” said the City Clerk.

** ** **

Vacaville Secures Loan for WWTP Upgrade

The city of Vacaville announced recently that it has received project approval for construction of its tertiary treatment project at the wastewater facility from the State Department of Water Resources Financial Assistance Division. The city now has nearly $117 million in state loans available for construction of the mandated project which is projected to cost some $150 million.

The tertiary project includes four planned construction projects all designed to ensure that water leaving the plant after treatment is purified to the highest standards, as required by the state.

"The city is under a time schedule order from the state, which mandates that certain treatment systems be in place within 4 1/2 years," said Shawn Cunningham, assistant director of Public Works.

** ** **

Nipomo to Build $12 Million WWTP

Citizens have just over a month to review and comment on the draft environmental impact report for the project to improve the Southland Wastewater Treatment Plant in Nipomo.

NCSD directors last week authorized circulating the draft EIR for 45 days to gather public comment.

The district is undertaking the $12 million project to meet discharge requirements of the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, said Michael LeBrun, NCSD general manager. “But we’re going a step above and beyond what we expect (future) requirements will be,” LeBrun said.

If directors certify the final EIR, the project could go out to bid sometime this fall, LeBrun said. If a bid is accepted, construction could begin in December, and the first phase could be completed in a year.

Planned in three phases, the project’s first phase will upgrade the existing facilities to improve the quality of treated effluent but would not increase the current capacity of about 900,000 gallons per day.

On-site facilities would be expanded and additional locations for off-site disposal of treated effluent would be developed in the second and third phases, increasing capacity to 1.28 MGD and 1.8 MGD, respectively.

Specific improvements include replacing a lift station, reconstructing two treatment bonds, constructing three secondary clarifiers, replacing unlined sludge drying beds with concrete-lined beds and adding support buildings, piping, electrical and instrumentation systems.

A review of the draft EIR can be viewed on the district’s website, go to www.nipomocsd.com and click on “Southland WWTF Upgrade.”Copies of the treatment plant master plan and a report on alternatives are also available at that site.

** ** **

Malibu Wastewater Plan Moves Forward

The controversial plan to build several multimillion-dollar wastewater treatment facilities in the Civic Center area is one step closer to realization. The Malibu City Council recently voted to approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the city and the regional and state water boards, despite outcry from residents and environmental groups that the public had not been given sufficient notice of the plan.

The MOU stipulates that wastewater treatment facilities be built in the Civic Center area in 2015, 2019 and possibly 2025. The agreement will go before the Los Angeles County Regional Water Quality Control Board at its July 14 meeting.

The three-phase plan begins with primarily commercial properties in the Civic Center area. Phase 1 stipulates that a centralized wastewater treatment facility be built by November 2015. The facility is projected to cost anywhere from $32 million to $52 million. In Phase 2, a number of residential areas, including those in Serra Canyon, Malibu Colony and condo complexes along Civic Center Way, would have to hook up to another centralized wastewater treatment facility by 2019.

The MOU seeks to resolve a standoff between the city and the regional and state water boards. In November 2009 the regional water board instituted a prohibition on septic systems in the Civic Center and central area of Malibu and drew up a two-phase plan for centralized wastewater treatment facilities in the area. The ban was approved and ratified in September 2010 by the State Water Quality Resources Control Board.

The MOU approved by the council includes a third phase, in which properties originally included in Phase 2 of the regional water board's plan would not be required to hook up to a centralized wastewater treatment facility by 2019.

Construction of a centralized wastewater treatment facility for those areas is contingent on future water quality studies. If bacteria and nitrogen levels are found to be reduced in the Malibu Lagoon following the construction of the Phase 1 and Phase 2 wastewater treatment facilities, then the areas in Phase 3 will also have to form an assessment district to fund their own centralized wastewater treatment facility. However, if the studies show that water quality in the lagoon has not been improved by the Phase 1 and Phase 2 treatment facilities, the areas in Phase 3 will not have to fund their own treatment facility.

IDAHO

Jerome Planning $3.25 Million WWTP Project

The city of Jerome needs a plan that will convince the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency it’s doing everything necessary to get its wastewater treatment plant running properly following sewer overflow problems tied to the dairy industry.

Without a plan in place, the city stands a stronger chance of a lawsuit and steep EPA fines for violating Clean Water Act regulations tied to wastewater cleaning systems. The agency in February warned the city that it intends to bring an enforcement action with possible fines of up to $37,500 a day, but has offered Jerome the opportunity to reach a settlement before a complaint is filed.

The city’s situation stems from a sewage overflow problem that began in December, when the plant’s filters clogged. Then, in February, partially treated water entered a discharge canal.

The city’s initial estimates put the necessary work on the plant at $3.25 million, though no ideas have been finalized. The city’s negotiating a proportionate cost-share with three industry users — Idaho Milk Products, Jerome Cheese and Darigold — whose discharge makes up 63 percent of the contents of the wastewater system.

At this point, it’s uncertain how that will unfold and if the companies will want to stay with the city’s system or set up their own.

According to Brown Environmental Inc., a Nampa consultant, the three industries combined put an average of 1.68 MGD of wastewater through the plant.

At the heart of the plant’s needs is its membrane filtration system, which dirty wastewater is pumped through. The membranes became clogged earlier this year when a foreign substance gummed them up.

The $3.25 million estimated cost of improvements includes $750,000 for putting more membranes into two concrete basins to expand the plant’s capacity, and $250,000 for wastewater clarifying equipment and another belt press for flattening solid waste. Also under consideration: buying land for composting solid waste and miscellaneous equipment for transporting and processing solids.

The city already has two empty basins to expand into, tempering the cost.

Historically, the recent events are only the city’s latest challenge.

Jerome expanded its plant in 2008. Between 2005 and 2007, records show the city often exceeded limits for pollutants such as phosphorus.

Some of those same problems continued even after the upgrade. More violations were recorded in 2009, when city officials note there were challenges incorporating Idaho Milk Producers into the system.

AQUA Engineering, which was hired to assist the city in sorting out the wastewater problems, noted that several major improvements to the plant have also been deferred or delayed in recent years, exacerbating the situation.

While planning a long-term solution, the city’s taken steps that include cleaning the plant equipment, more testing of the water, and changing the chemicals used for treating wastewater.

ILLINOIS

Knoxville Wastewater Upgrade to Cost $1.3 Million

The Knoxville City Council discussed a $1.3 million contract for Laverdiere Construction, Inc. in Macomb to purchase a step screen and sludge press for the wastewater treatment plant. The purchase is necessary to keep up with the infrastructure of the treatment plant.

Bids were accepted until July 1 and later presented the three proposals were received. It was suggested the council go with the lowest bidder, Laverdiere Construction. All three bids came in at least 25 percent more than anticipated,

The council has 90 days from July 5 to accept the bid.

** ** **

Pekin to Consider Wastewater Treatment Plant Phase II Loan, Contract

The Pekin City Council is considering borrowing $20 million from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to start Phase II of the wastewater treatment plant construction project.

This is the first of two loans the city must seek to expand the plant for future growth and make it compliant with state and federal guidelines on emissions into the river.

The total cost of the second phase of the project is $37.7 million. The city can only borrow $20 million in one year from the IEPA. Next year the council will again be asked to approve an IEPA loan for approximately $17.5 million to $18 million.

The council will also be asked to approve an engineering agreement with Farnsworth Group for engineering support of the Phase II construction of the plant in the amount of $2,278,000. Farnsworth was the engineering firm in charge of Phase I of the project.

Bid packets will be opened on Aug. 26.

The plant must be built and operational by 2015. The total construction cost will be upward of $60 million. City Manager JoeWuellner said the plant, when completed, should meet the city’s needs for many years — depending on growth in the city.

** ** **

Solution to Odor Problem on the Horizon for Streator

Streator is a step closer to finding solutions to the odor coming from their wastewater treatment plant.

Recently, an engineer from the Pittsburgh office specializing in odor control systems and Jack Page, Veolia Central North regional technical director from the St. Louis office, reviewed the plant's systems.

They focused on a sludge storage tank with fluctuating pH levels attributed to mixing issues and lime ejection issues and the Kent Street first flush lagoon tank causing odors due to a combination of excessive setting water and debris exacerbated by temperatures of more than 90°F.

The pH levels are ideal at 12, and tests showed the levels intermittently fell below 12, which was one of the causes of the odors. When the pH level falls below 12, employees shock the tank with lime to get the level back up.

The pH level since has stabilized and the issue with the excess debris in the Kent Street lagoon is expected to be alleviated at the completion of the Kent Street interceptor sewer project.

A wastewater treatment plant equipment upgrade project, estimated at $750,000 has been permitted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The project would replace aging and outdated equipment. He expects the city to try to get the project in the next budget cycle and the project could take place next summer, pending funding.

KENTUCKY

Update on Monticello Wastewater Project

Monticello City Council met recently and received an updated on the status of the wastewater treatment project.

Gene Jones, manager of the Monticello Utility Commission, told council members that drawings and specifications for the wastewater treatment facility were submitted to the Kentucky Division of Water in June. Jones estimated that if things move along as expected, construction on the projection could begin by November or December.

The city has received a combination of loan and grant funding to construct a new wastewater treatment facility to replace the aging plant.

LOUISIANA

Lafayette Requesting Bids for WWTP Improvements

The project includes:

1. Main Control Building – Provide new interior coating system per specifications; replace two trickling filter recirculation pumps; replace sludge pump; replace electrical switchgear and control system; add electrical disconnect switches, and various conduits and wiring; replace lighting; replace existing process piping and valves for new pumps; replace manual bar screen; replace hand railings; provide grating for sump pump; replace ventilation system in wetwell room; replace metal base plate and backdraft damper in Chlorine Room; provide portable dehumidifiers; and provide two new composite sampler units.

2. Biosolids Digester System - Replace biosolids digester system including outer ring, inner ring, center cone, weir, trough, skirt, access bridge, piping, access covers, hand railings, paint non-carbon steel components; and repair concrete.

3. Trickling Filter - Replace trickling filter distributor arm, add ventilation system, replace door, add grating, and repair concrete.

4. Biosolids Drying Beds - Replace drying bed retaining boards.

5. Chlorine Contact Tank - Replace chlorine contact basin baffles and handrailing.

6. Turf Restoration - Provide turf restoration for all disturbed areas.

7. City Hall Restrooms – Remodel restrooms at City Hall.

8. Final Clarifier (Bid Alternate No. 1) – Raise the existing concrete wall and provide fiberglass dome cover, fiberglass door, ventilation system, and electrical work shown on the drawings within the final clarifier.

For more information go to:

http://www.bolton-menk.com/bids/projectdetail.php?id=1150

MASSACHUSETTS

North Easton Requesting Bids for WWTP and Sewer Project

The town of Easton will receive sealed filed Sub-Bids for the North Easton Village Wastewater Treatment Plant and Sewer Project, Contract 1 (CWSRF #3596), until 10:00 AM prevailing local time on Wednesday August 3, 2011 at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

The town of Easton will receive sealed General Bids for the North Easton Village Wastewater Treatment Plant and Sewer Project, Contract 1 (CWSRF #3596), until 10:00 AM prevailing local time on Wednesday August 17, 2011, at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

To see the full advertisement for bids, click here.

To see instructions regarding questions, click here.

** ** **

Pittsfield Wastewater Project to Cost $12 Million

Pittsfield City officials expect the cost of upgrading Pittsfield's 48-year old wastewater treatment plant will escalate to $12 million -- nearly double the price when the project began two years ago.

Mayor James M. Ruberto has requested the City Council boost the borrowing necessary to help pay for the project from $7.9 million to $12 million.

The council will formally receive the proposal at its regular meeting in July. The 11-member panel is expected to refer the spending item to a council subcommittee for public debate, review and a recommendation back to the entire council for a final vote.

The project includes replacing the plant's worn out pump and power motor control center and its standby power system, according to Pittsfield Public Utilities Commissioner Bruce I. Collingwood.

"Both the [control center] and standby power systems are original 1960s vintage equipment and replacement parts are not available," he said. "Until we got further into the project, we didn't know what shape they were in until we pulled it apart."

Several councilors are concerned if other surprises are in store as the project continues.

Collingwood said he realizes the 50 percent cost spike is expensive, but the added work is necessary to make the wastewater treatment plant more efficient and keep it up to state environmental standards.

While Collingwood expects the current phase of the upgrade to be completed this fall, he has no timetable for the added work which must be put out to bid, once approved by the council.

The City Council granted the first increase of $1.2 million primarily because an extra $900,000 was needed to pay for a new aeration system. The aeration system is one of three upgrades being made to original parts of the Holmes Road facility built in 1963.

Another improvement is the installation of a state-of-the-art process to convert methane gas from the sewage into electricity helping to power the facility. The system will reduce the plant's electric bill by 30 percent, saving taxpayers $206,000 per year, Collingwood said. The renewable energy system is expected to pay for itself in five years.

The third upgrade will improve the beginning of the sewage plant's treatment process, or "headworks," which screens out the large items from the sludge, thus protecting the rest of the wastewater treatment system.

MINNESOTA

Bertha Requesting Bids for Wastewater Project

Bids are due August 10, 2011.

For more information go to:

http://qap.questcdn.com/qap/action/IPPshowProjData?jobCategoryNo=08%2F10%2F2011&group=81338&provider=81338&sortType=1&jobNo=1674253

MISSOURI

MSD OKs Agreement to Settle 2007 Federal Lawsuit

The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) has approved a consent decree that would require it to make $4.7 billion in improvements and updates to its sewer systems and wastewater treatment plants.

The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Board of Trustees has approved a consent decree that would settle a federal lawsuit. However, not all parties are partial to the agreement.

On June 11, 2007, the U.S. EPA and the state of Missouri filed a civil action suit, alleging MSD was in violation of the Clean Water Act of 1972. The Missouri Coalition for the Environment joined the suit after it was filed.

All parties involved have been working on mediation efforts throughout the last four years with the result being the consent decree. However, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster has decided against signing the agreement.

The decree would require MSD to make roughly $4.7 billion in improvements and updates to its sewer systems and wastewater treatment plants over a 23-year period. The agreement would also include $2.8 million in civil penalties.

Before the decree is finalized, it will go to the EPA and the coalition for agreement—a process that could take a few months. The decree would then be filed with the judge, and the public would have 30 days to comment on the document.

NEW JERSEY

Frenchtown Will Build $14 Million Wastewater Plant

Frenchtown Borough Council has approved a bond ordinance worth slightly less than $14.5 million that will finance construction of a new sewage treatment plant.

Funds from the bonds will pay for construction of the new plant that replaces the current one built in the 1960s; demolition of the old plant; new buildings and facilities for the Department of Public Works; a garage for the DPW; and flood-proofing those buildings.

According to borough officials, about $10 million worth of bonds for the sewer plant construction will be sold to the state Environmental Infrastructure Trust, with the remainder to the US Department of Agriculture Rural Development program. The result is that the municipality will be borrowing money at a subsidized interest rate.

Besides sewer fees collected from property owners, the bonds will also be repaid using connection fees from an estimated additional 230 sewer hookups from hoped-for future residential and commercial construction. Those hookups would be accommodated once the new sewage treatment plant is operational.

The plant is expected to incorporate advanced biological treatment and a new ultraviolet disinfection system.

The wastewater pumping building and the Public Works garage would have roofs with a southern exposure to accommodate solar panels. Solar panels will not produce enough energy to power the plant, but should reduce electricity costs. The borough can solicit bids for the project later this summer.

Plans for the new sewage treatment plant are available at Borough Hall for public viewing during office hours.

NEW YORK

Cairo Sewer Improvements going out to Bid

Much needed upgrades to Cairo’s sewer system will be going out to bid in July. If everything goes as planned, construction could start in August or September and would last about a year.

The nearly $3 million project, most of which will be funded by a grant from the state Environmental Facilities Corp., includes installation of a new force main, implementation of further infiltration and inflow control measures and upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant.

The plant will be expanded to increase capacity to 150,000 gallons per day.

Bids will be ready for the town board’s next regular meeting on Aug. 3.

Cairo has been under a consent order from the state Department of Environmental Conservation preventing any new sewer hookups. The improvements will allow for a lifting of the moratorium and bring Cairo in line with state standards.

** ** **

Little Falls to Hire Consultant to Bring WWTP into Compliance

The Environmental Protection Agency finalized new source performance standards and emission guidelines for new and existing sewage sludge incineration units on Feb. 21.

In addition to reducing emissions of a number of toxic air pollutants, including mercury, other metals and organic air toxics, which include dioxins and furans, the new EPA standards and guidelines have placed the unit used to burn dewatered sewage sludge at the Little Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant out of compliance, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

In response to its written notification from the DEC’s Division of Air Resources, the city is looking to hire a consultant to insure its compliance with the federal regulation.

“There a number of options to consider, including shutting down the unit and refurbishing the wastewater treatment plant, hiring a contractor to haul the sludge away or purchasing a truck and using city employees to haul the sludge from the plant to where it is properly disposed of,” Mayor Robert Peters said. “Each option has its pros and cons, so hopefully the consultant will be able to help us select the option that is best for the long-term future of the city.”

According to the RFP, the consultant will be tasked with developing a plan that addresses the sludge handling and sludge disposal options, sampling requirements, sludge hauling options, a significant industrial user impact analysis, incinerator decommissioning and a review of a fee structure for industrial users.

When finished, the consultant’s plan will be brought before the city’s Board of Public Works for approval before it is sent to the Common Council for final consideration.

The state has indicated a plan must be in place by March 21, 2012.

** ** **

Washington County Sewer District Seeks Help to Meet Cash Needs

The Washington County Sewer District's wastewater treatment plant, located in Fort Edward, is over capacity, and the state Department of Environmental Conservation has said upgrades to the system are required, and a long-term plan is needed. Without those actions, the plant will not be allowed to continue to operate without a moratorium on new sewer connections.

Sewer District II serves the villages of Hudson Falls and Fort Edward, as well as parts of the towns of Fort Edward, Kingsbury and a sliver of Queensbury. Kingsbury and Queensbury are considered out-of-district users.

There is an opportunity to immediately replace 2,500 feet of sewer line in the district, as long as the district can come up with $650,000 this month. The village of Fort Edward was already planning to dig up some roads this summer to replace 100-year-old water lines using a $547,000 grant from the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal.

The Village Board plans to request bids on the project in July.

"If an opportunity to replace sewer lines comes up, you do it," said Joe Brilling, executive director of Sewer District II.

OHIO

Mount Vernon Wastewater Treatment Plant Bids Opened

Three contractors submitted bids for the county wastewater treatment plant projects at Bladensburg and Millwood at the Knox County Commissioners office. Overseeing the process was Russell B. Krock, president of ADR and Associates, the engineering firm contracted to facilitate the projects.

Bids submitted for the Bladensburg project came from G.E. Baker at $1,754,713.55; Beheler Excavating at $1,649,990.45; and Elite Excavating at $1,705,876.00.

** ** **

$50 Million for Lorain Wastewater Project

The Lorain City Council recently approved a rate increase starting in January 2012 and lasting through 2020.

The rate increase will pay for the new $50 million sewage conveyance tunnel underneath the Black River. The tunnel will resolve orders from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to better manage Lorain’s wastewater and, eventually, cut down on sewage backups and basement flooding, city officials said.

The tunnel also will become part of the city’s efforts to move its Black River Waste Water Treatment Plant from the mouth of the river to land further upriver behind the steel mills. A new plant could lead to the creation of a regional sewage treatment service.

Council heard from Utilities Director Corey Timko and consultants from Arcadis. They explained the rates and how Lorain has worked progressively to comply with EPA orders to prevent sanitary sewer overflows.

PENNSYLVANIA

Spring Township Accepts Bids for WWTP Project

The Spring Township supervisors advanced bids for the expansion and upgrade for the wastewater treatment plant. The supervisors agreed to a notice of intent to award bids totaling $10.35 million.

The bids included $9.2 million for general construction from Pact Two, Ringoes, N.J., and $896,490 for electrical work from Hirneisen Electric, Cumru Township.

The project will help the plant comply with the state Department of Environmental Protection's request to improve chlorine and phosphorus levels and increase the capacity of the plant to 2 MGD from 1.2 MGD.

Work is expected to start by October and be completed by fall 2013.

** ** **

No Decision on North Whitehall Wastewater Issue

A third hearing on the proposed Lehigh County Authority wastewater treatment facility passed without a decision by the North Whitehall Zoning Hearing Board recently.

Discussion focused mainly on preserving the area surrounding Kidspeace, the facility’s planned location.

Residents are particularly concerned with increased traffic on Jordan Road, though Lehigh County Authority general manager Aurel Arndt maintained the facility would result in only one personnel vehicle, most likely a pickup truck, traveling Jordan Road a maximum of once daily.

If approved, the facility’s discharge would flow into Jordan Creek, another area of concern for residents. Because the creek is nearly dry, residents worry waste will simply sit in the creek bed rather than flow away from the facility. Alternatively, if the creek floods, residents don’t want sewage running onto their land. Arndt tried to dispel fears by saying the discharge is not waste, but rather treated water that poses no environmental threat.

Before the board can decide whether to grant a special usage exception for the facility, more North Whitehall residents are expected to testify at the next meeting. The fourth hearing will be held on Wednesday Aug. 31.

** ** **

Porter-Tower $10 Million Wastewater Project

Customers of the Porter-Tower Joint Treatment Authority know that building a $10.3 million wastewater treatment plant will mean an increase in quarterly sewage rates.

A JTA engineer of Larson Design Group, along with the Department of Environmental Protection's Water Program Manager presented an overview of the treatment facility proposed for the current coverage area of the authority last month to about a dozen people.

The presentation also included an explanation of why the project is required.

Act 537 is the sewage facilities plan which provides for the adequate disposal of sewage in Pennsylvania. The current plant was constructed to treat 430,000 gallons of wastewater, but is currently treating 644,000 gallons. The plant has been in violation since 1985. Because the current plant is hydraulically overloaded, and the nitrogen and phosphorous reduction requirement of the federal government's Clean Water Act, the state has given a deadline of October 2013 for the Porter-Tower plant to become compliant.

Replacing the plant with a sequential batch reactor, or SBR, is the least costly solution. The current plant, which is located in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, was constructed in 1978 and was not designed to reduce the levels of nutrients, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus, that it is sending downstream.

In August 2005, when new water quality standards came into effect, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency developed a maximum nutrient load, or "cap load," for each major tributary of the Susquehanna and Potomac rivers.

When Pennsylvania developed its Chesapeake Bay Compliance Plan, it was determined that a total nutrient reduction level of about 57 million pounds of nitrogen was needed to meet the Clean Water Act standards.

According to the DEP, municipal sewage treatment plants are the largest individual nutrient contributors to the Chesapeake Bay watershed with 213 of the state's plants responsible for approximately 14 percent of the nitrogen and 22 percent of the phosphorus that enters the bay.

A compliance schedule was devised for the wastewater treatment plants - and 63 plants were listed in Phase 1 and accounted for 85 percent of the total pollutants.

This phase had a compliance deadline of October 2010. Phase 2 will be expected no later than October 2012, while Phase 3 has a compliance deadline of October 2013.

The Porter-Tower facility is in the Phase 3, and compliance will require an aggressive effort. However, the 2013 deadline is probably unreasonable.

Since the Act 537 plan was approved last month, it was recommended the authority now work on its application and investigate funding sources. Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PennVest) as Porter-Tower's best bet. The authority had applied for a $6 million H2O PA grant, but the application has not been approved.

VIRGINIA

Richmond Sewage Plant Still has Odor Problem

Richmond Officials shutdown operations at the nearby Veolia Water-run sewage treatment plant in October after tears in a digester cover allowed the release of hydrogen sulfide, which is produced during the breakdown of organic material.

At the time, residents reported symptoms of exposure including vomiting, headaches, eye irritations and trouble breathing.

The City Council ordered Veolia to begin trucking its waste to the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) while they investigated the incident. Seven months later, the plant remains silent but the smell has returned, residents say, along with the symptoms.

Paradoxically, the shutdown of operations at the plant could be to blame for the hydrogen sulfide spikes, according to a Bay Area Air Quality Management District spokesman. The smells could be coming from the sewage sludge that plant workers now have to move from containers onto trucks, he said.

Residents fed up with years of odors and health issues have suggested closing the 50-year-old facility and either building a better plant or constructing a pipeline to send the waste to EBMUD.

City staff is looking into alternatives and expect to have a list of options by this winter.

To help residents cope in the meantime, the city launched a website that uses air monitors to chart hydrogen sulfide levels in Point Richmond in real time."I want people to be able to look from any computer and see what's going on," wastewater manager Chad Davisson said.

The air district sets the ambient hydrogen sulfide limit at 30 parts per billion averaged over an hour.

WASHINGTON

Blaine Approves $1.46 Million Bid for Semiahmoo-Area Wastewater Project

Blaine City leaders approved a $1.46 million bid for a project that will allow the new wastewater facility to treat sewage from Semiahmoo, the last area of the city still sending sewage to the old plant.

The council voted to approve the bid from Boss construction. The bid was 21 percent under the engineer's estimate.

The project involves installing pipes and stations necessary to move sewage down Semiahmoo Spit and under the mouth of Drayton Harbor to the new treatment plant along Marine Drive. Semiahmoo generates roughly 100,000 gallons per day of wastewater, Public Works Director Steve Banham said.

The project also involves decommissioning the old treatment plant, which is at the base of the spit.

Counting other costs, including engineering, permitting and management, the total project cost is estimated at nearly $2.5 million.

City officials hope to finish the project by the end of the year.

WEST VIRGINIA

Delbarton Wastewater Project Recommended for Grant

Acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin recently handed out $4.5 million in Neighborhood Stabilization grants, a $450,000 Community Development Block Grant and recommended $3.8 million in Appalachian Regional Commission grants.

One of the communities that applied for an ARC grant was the Mingo County town of Delbarton. Mayor John Preece says the town and surrounding areas desperately need an upgraded wastewater treatment plant. The one currently in use is more than 40-years-old and it's just not capable of handling all the wastewater that comes its way.

Preece says the town was able to come up with nearly $8.5 million. But the final $1.5 was out of their reach financially. That's why they applied for the grant. The town isn't assured of that grant. Tomblin is recommending to the ARC that they fund the project. However, Preece is confident.

The proposed project will impact more than 400 homes and businesses.

In all, Tomblin is recommending eight ARC grant projects.

CANADA

Winnipeg Requesting Bids for WWTP Project

Bids are due August 31, 2011 for the Winnipeg wastewater treatment plant upgrade and expansion program.

For more information go to:

http://www.h2bid.com/procurement-notice-127730.html

** ** **

Proposed Wastewater Treatment Plan Could Ease Future Strain on North Grenville System

Magnetite could be the long-term answer to treating North Grenville’s wastewater.

With continued growth expected in North Grenville’s future, the municipality is looking for an alternative technology to increase capacity and efficiency at the wastewater treatment plant in Kemptville.

When magnetite, an iron oxide, is added to a water treatment system, it magnetically attracts large waste particles. The resultant clumps fall out of the water stream, increasing the flow rate and thus the amount of water that can be cleaned per day.

Council recently approved an application to the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) for $125,000 to help fund a Biomag Technology Pilot Program to test the magnetite-based system over two months next spring. If approved, council would be responsible for an additional $125,000.

Though not currently licensed in Canada, Biomag is used in the Boston area and has the potential to make a big difference in North Grenville, said public works Karen Dunlop.

The plant currently uses about half its 4,510 cubic metre daily capacity to treat wastewater. No storage facility exists to hold excess water, which means on a rainy day – or after several consecutive days of rain – water takes longer to wind its way through the plant, and the potential exists for a backup.

The hope is that the magnetite would keep the system moving even during peak periods, and enable the overall capacity to increase thanks to improved efficiency. This would eliminate the need to use the ten acres of FFC land currently set aside for ponds to hold excess water.

The other bonus to the Biomag system is that magnetite also binds to phosphorous, which means there will be less of the mineral in the cleaned water that ends up back in the Rideau River.

The province has been pushing for lower phosphorus levels in the river, and a future volume increase at the plant would mean acceptable phosphorous levels in the cleaned water would be cut in half.

If MOE deems the test a success and approves Biomag for use in Ontario, the municipality would need to find $11 million to retrofit the plant with a mixing tank and make additional structural modifications.

A mechanical expansion to install a second intake stream, dig the equalization ponds and develop a phosphorus trading system with local farmers would cost between $32 and $37 million according to the municipality’s environmental assessment.

Results are expected in the fall.

Recent Chemical Bid Reports

You can track all the water chemical bids in the new database in the report at:

https://www.mcilvainecompany.com/Universal_Water_Chemical/Subscriber/uwcDB/TofC.htm

Here are the titles added since the last report.

Clearwater/Tarpon Springs, FL

https://www.mcilvainecompany.com/Universal_Water_Chemical/Subscriber/uwcDB/totentry.asp?ref=1866

Wellington, FL

https://www.mcilvainecompany.com/Universal_Water_Chemical/Subscriber/uwcDB/totentry.asp?ref=1865

Amesbury,MA

https://www.mcilvainecompany.com/Universal_Water_Chemical/Subscriber/uwcDB/totentry.asp?ref=1870

Clyde, OH

https://www.mcilvainecompany.com/Universal_Water_Chemical/Subscriber/uwcDB/totentry.asp?ref=1854

Warrington, PA

https://www.mcilvainecompany.com/Universal_Water_Chemical/Subscriber/uwcDB/totentry.asp?ref=1872

Ogden, UT

https://www.mcilvainecompany.com/Universal_Water_Chemical/Subscriber/uwcDB/totentry.asp?ref=1854