Wastewater Treatment Plant Project - Spring 2023

The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) was built in the 1950’s and has undergone two significant improvements projects since its original construction – one in 1971 and one in 2012. The City’s wastewater treatment and collection system is one of its most significant assets and its reliable operation is of great importance to the local community.

The City has been proactive in identifying needed improvements within its wastewater treatment and collection systems. In 2018, the City received a Stormwater, Asset Management, and Wastewater (SAW) grant in the amount of $764,849 from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to assess the City’s wastewater infrastructure and identify needed capital improvements projects. A copy of the resulting Asset Management Plan (AMP) is available below. To further evaluate needed improvements, alternatives, and planning budgets, a Project Plan was prepared and presented at a Public Hearing in May of 2021. This document is also available below.

Results of this detailed analysis demonstrated that there are high priority improvements that need to be addressed for the system to continue providing reliable service to the community while protecting public health and the environment. Moreover, the 2019 ice jam and resulting flooding demonstrated that further mitigation measures are necessary. To address the needed improvements, the City pursued subsidized loan and grant funding through EGLE’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). The City will be required to bond out for this Project with significant rate increases over the next two years. To alleviate some of these costs, the City qualified for $1.5 million in principal forgiveness of the approximately $10 million total project cost. The Project is currently under design and includes collection system lining and repairs to target high priority inflow & infiltration sources, lift station improvements, and many upgrades at the WWTP. The WWTP upgrades will address treatment capacity and performance for a 20-year planning period. Construction is anticipated to begin in Spring of 2023.

S. Tutt Gorman, City Manager

Environmental Assessment of Project - Public Review & Comment

EGLE - Environmental Assessment

As part of the project planning process and a requirement to receive Federal/State funding, an environmental assessment was required to determine impacts of the proposed project. An analysis of environmental impacts was performed to evaluate direct impacts from construction and operation activities, and indirect impacts from cumulative impacts on water quality. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) reviewed the environmental impacts and determined that no significant environmental impacts would result from the proposed project.

The attached Environmental Assessment summarizes EGLE’s findings and is available for public review and comments. Comments can be submitted in accordance with the document within 30 calendar days from the date of the notice (by June 23, 2022) for consideration by EGLE. In the absence of substantive comments during this public comment period, EGLE will finalize their preliminary decision and the project will become eligible to receive loan and grant assistance.

Reports and Presentations

SAW - Wastewater Asset Management Plan

This report documents the findings of the Stormwater, Asset Management, and Wastewater (SAW) program. Items in this report include collection system asset inventories and assessments, sewer televising reports, mass flow monitoring studies, smoke testing reports, wastewater treatment and lift station asset inventories and assessments, and a maximum allowable headworks loading study.

This comprehensive document was the result of significant studies and review of the City's existing wastewater infrastructure. Also presented are short- and long-term capital improvements projects along with preliminary costs estimates for budget planning.

SAW - Presentation

The results of the SAW project and asset management plan were presented to City Council in March of 2021. The presentation discussed the SAW program, the assessments completed on the City's behalf, findings from the report, and demonstration of the new Geographic Information System (GIS).

CWSRF - Project Plan

This document served to further identify needed improvements in the wastewater treatment and collection system and develop alternatives and budget for rehabilitation of key infrastructure. The Project Plan is also a requirement to secure subsidized loan and grant funding through the Michigan Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program.

CWSRF - Public Hearing Presentation

The Public Hearing presentation took place in May of 2021. The presentation discussed the results of the Project Plan preparation work and summarized the project background, needs, alternatives analysis, projected costs, delivery methods, and anticipated schedule. The goal of the presentation was to obtain public/community input while meeting the requirements of the CWSRF program.