Community Notes: WRRF project is on schedule for start next summer

By Dan Rimrod, WRRF Superintendent, Charles City

This year I am going to give an update on the construction at the WRRF. A lot of visual changes have taken place here at the plant since last year’s Community Notes. For the most part all the structures are completed with plenty of finish work left.

Portzen Construction and subcontractors continue to stay on schedule for completion, and later this fall we should see the removal of the old parts of the plant that are no longer needed.

The big oval tanks, called the Oxidation Ditches (O.D’s), are constructed and the equipment is installed. The O.D.’s were the biggest part of the construction and also the biggest part of our new treatment system, so seeing this almost complete shows how far we have progressed.

The Head Works Building that sits next to the O.D’s is structurally completed and the process units are installed. On the other side of the road sits the Equalization Basin and Reed Beds which are completed with some minor things left.

Items still to be completed for the new plant include some piping, pump installations, electrical, controls, scada, and landscaping. Also let’s not forget the replacement of the existing lift station on Gilbert Street which will start in August.

Startup of the new plant is scheduled for late July into August. During the startup we will get all equipment running and have an acclimation period to slowly bring the new plant up to treatment capacity while we continue to run the old plant.

Once we can treat with just the new plant we will then begin shut down and demolish some of the old treatment units.

A new era begins.

Every year I like to end my City Notes by asking for removal of sump pumps from sewer connections, which are illegal. If I can slowly change the idea that it is fine for homes to be adding extra unwanted flow that all has to be pumped again at a lift station and again at the plant, and then treated, I will keep mentioning it.

Regulations require that we treat all flows, so if we can keep them down, the plant can operate more efficiently and without any violations and costly fines.

Chemicals such as gasohol, diesel, grease, paints, and any unnecessary materials are NOT to be put into the sewer. The digested treatment and secondary treatment systems operate biologically with living organisms and these substances kill the organisms vital to this treatment process.

“Flushable” wipes have been seen in the marketplace in recent years. There was a large campaign to include the word “flushable” on packaged items and it has been a big debate in the sewer industry.

The word “flushable” is used to encourage the purchase of these items, but please disregard the word “flushable” on these products, as they often are NOT flushable. Not only could city mains become clogged, but often private sewer lines become clogged first, creating unnecessary expense and mess to the homeowner.