WARSAW — Three options in a proactive approach to expand the city’s Waste Water Treatment Plant, were reviewed by members of the Warsaw Common Council Tuesday evening, Sept. 8. No action has been taken at this time.

Gary Ruston, Wessler Engineering, Fort Wayne, presented the three options ranging in estimated costs from $6.4 million to $27.6 million. He prefaced his presentation noting the 11 year-old plant is in good condition, well-operated and maintained. The study found the average flows are at 88 percent of the plants capacity of 3.9 million gallons a day. He noted the Indiana Department of Environmental Management will issue an early warning sewer ban when plants reach a 90 percent capacity and a ban at 100 percent capacity.

New regulations are expected in June 2017 on new discharge limits for phosphorus. It was noted the plant has no grit removal operations resulting in heavy wear and tear on equipment and high maintenance. It was also noted there is high potential for continued growth and development increasing flows.

The first options are a 50 percent expansion to 6 MGD at a cost of $19.4 million or a 100 percent expansion to 8 MGD costing $27.6 million. A third option was proposed by James Emans, city engineer.

This option would implement an inflow/infiltration reduction program to reduce wet-weather flows allowing for a decrease in average flows and delaying an expansion, reduce on-going costs for conveyance and treatment of clear water. It would also be a “makeover” for items independent of expansion/capacity increase, improve process control, add flexibility, and lessen maintenance demands and include phosphorus removal and grit removal facilities.

The third option, costing an estimated $6.4 million, lists 18 improvements ranging from major to minor.  The major improvements would include grit removal facilities, retrofitting existing clarifier sludge collectors, adding a new chemical feed building for phosphorus control, making modifications to the existing aerobic digesters and improving the SCADA system, the computer system operating the plant. Only three modifications were listed as moderate with the majority of the remaining items listed as minor improvements.

Ruston also presented an anticipated project schedule from design to construction. It is projected it would be a 32 month project.

It was noted an inflow/infiltration study is currently underway. Brian Davison, utility manager, reported the first phase of the I/I study has been completed with the next phase including smoke testing and video of the lines. The first phase, flow monitoring, has determined problem areas. Ruston stated he and Wessler officials will be in a position to provide clearer answers by the first of the year or early spring at the latest.

Questions of rate increases were raised by Elaine Call, indicating the need to start increases to help fund the project. It was noted the last rate increase was in 2008. Davison noted there needs to be a cost analysis once the I/I study is complete. The I/I study may indicate the need to go with expansion instead of improvements.