Spanish Fork celebrates first flush at new wastewater reclamation facility; seeding process underway

Spanish Fork staff told the City Council on Aug. 19 that the city—s new wastewater reclamation facility received its first flush and is in the multi-week start-up process that will bring it to full operation. Staff said the project involved six years of planning and four years of construction. To begin biological treatment, the new plant must be —seeded— with microbes; staff described trucks delivering tens of thousands of gallons of sewage from the existing treatment system to the new plant to establish the microbial communities needed for biological treatment. The presentation referenced 36,000-gallon trucks and —dozens— of such tankers over a period of weeks to populate the new system. The process requires staged diversions: for parts of the day flow will be pumped to the new plant to seed it, then diverted back to the old plant while the microbial population establishes. Staff estimated the initial seeding and ramp-up will take about three to four weeks before the city diverts all flow from Spanish Fork (and Mapleton, which shares the facility) to the new wastewater reclamation facility. Public-works staff described the biology: the plant uses microbial digestion similar to natural digestive processes and requires time for organisms to adapt and multiply. Staff noted the new plant will remain a shared regional facility for Spanish Fork and Mapleton. Council members asked about a ceremonial flush; staff confirmed a formal ceremony had occurred and said they would provide more notice when the plant reaches full operation. What—s next: staff will continue the seeding process, monitor microbial activity and report back when the plant is ready to accept full flow and permanently replace the old treatment plant.