Aging Infrastructure

Many American wastewater facilities were built in the mid-1990s and need rebuilding. Our Plant was constructed in 1956 and has since worked non-stop, with facilities and equipment now exceeding their life expectancies. A projected $1.0 billion to $1.5 billion of upgrades and repairs are needed to keep the Plant working into the future, including:

ELECTRICAL REPAIRS $200 million
The vast electrical netowrk that powers the Plant is worn out. Switch gears, motor control centers, and electrical cabling need replacement.

POWER EQUIPMENT $150 million
Pumping and aerating wastwater happens 24/7, requiring huge generators and blowers. Some power equipment is already decommissioned, and all such equipment needs eventual replacement.

LIQUIDS TREATMENT UPGRADES $550 million
Enormous in-ground primary tanks that have been working since 1956 need reconstruction or replacement, as do tanks in the secondary, tertiary, and filtration stages.

BIOSOLIDS TREATMENT UPGRADES $400 million
The solids that get removed from wastewater are treated in the Plant's 16 digester tanks. Five digesters are out of service and need replacing, and all need reconstruction. The sludge dewatering facility also needs rehabilitating. To address odors and meet future regulations, experts recommend that the Plant prepares to switch from the current open-air solids drying process to a covered method.

FACILITY UPGRADES $200 million
Facilities at the Plant are daily exposed to a corrosive environment. Building and concrete need reconstruction and/or replacment.

Participate in the Plant Master Plan process:

• View the introductory video
• Subscribe to receive regular project updates
• View the land use alternatives
• Attend the next Community Advisory Group meeting
• Submit your input and ideas
• Attend the next community workshop
• Sign up for a free Plant tour