During a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant updates regarding the North Middlebrook Wastewater Treatment Plant (NWWTP), which is set to discharge into the North Fork, primarily serving the Santa Rita area.

The meeting revealed that the initial design plans for the NWWTP, which were expected to be 100% complete, were found to be flawed and will need to be revised back to 30% completion. This setback has raised concerns about the project timeline, with estimates suggesting that it could take an additional nine months to reach full completion, potentially pushing the schedule closer to the edge of feasibility.

Garver Engineering has been tasked with redesigning the plant, as the previous engineering firm responsible for the initial plans will not be involved in the revisions. Officials acknowledged that the new design will likely mirror the existing structure, although there may be a need for further scrutiny to ensure compliance with updated regulatory standards.

The discussion also highlighted challenges posed by recent changes in discharge regulations, which have made it difficult for the plant to meet new requirements. The current design was not intended to accommodate the stricter limits imposed, complicating the path forward for the project.

As the team moves forward with the redesign, the implications of these delays and regulatory challenges will be closely monitored, as they could significantly impact the overall timeline and effectiveness of the wastewater treatment efforts in the region.