Montpelier — The City Council approved a capacity study for the wastewater treatment plant to determine how much additional organic load the plant can treat and whether to allocate capacity to large users such as Caledonia Spirits.
Monica, Director of Public Works, told the council the plant has ample hydraulic capacity (an average flow of about 2,000,000 gallons per day and historical peaks over 10,000,000 gallons per day) but uncertainty about biological (organic) capacity. The plant accepts hauled waste and leachate in addition to residential sewage, and upgrades over the years mean permitted rated capacity may no longer reflect the plant’s true biological capacity.
Caledonia Spirits asked for an allocation of organic capacity to support growth, prompting staff to seek a modern engineering analysis of current BOD (biological oxygen demand) capability. Public Works Director Monica said the last such study dated to the early 1980s.
Finance details were explained by Kurt: the project will use the State Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund. Design/preliminary engineering work qualifies for a subsidy of up to 50% (capped at $100,000); in this case the city’s share will be about $75,000 after the grant/subsidy, and the loan would carry roughly a 1% interest rate over a 20‑year term. Council discussed whether Caledonia Spirits should share costs; staff said the study benefits broader planning and is not solely for one company, and the study will inform allocation decisions for residential development and hauled waste policy.
Council approved the study, noting the results will help staff make informed decisions about allocating organic capacity to industrial or residential growth and about future upgrades. Staff also noted potential additional revenue from increased leachate receiving or industrial users if the plant can safely accept more high-strength waste.