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Board of Public Works hears wastewater upgrade needs after rising phosphorus, sludge costs
Summary
City public works staff told the Board of Public Works that increasing orthophosphate levels in the water supply and higher sludge-disposal costs mean the wastewater plant must change treatment methods and consider a sludge dryer; a plant tour and possible grant funding were discussed.
The Board of Public Works on April 7 heard that the city’s wastewater plant will need a system upgrade to meet future phosphorus limits and reduce growing sludge-disposal costs.
Ben, a public works wastewater operator, told the board that “we are starting to see 0.8 milligrams per liter of phosphorus coming to the facility just through the polyphosphates that the water department's adding,” and that under the current system “we will never meet that number unless our flows go below 300,000 a day,” a level he said is unlikely. He recommended biological phosphorus removal as the best option.
The discussion matters because state permit levels anticipated in 2029 will require lower phosphorus discharges. Staff said Donahue…
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