Appleton utilities staff presented the wastewater budget and capital priorities to the Finance Committee at the Nov. 1 workshop. The wastewater treatment plant is operating in a maintenance mode, but several near‑term actions will influence future capital needs:

Key takeaways
- Digester inspection: Staff recently drained and inspected 1 digester (post‑polymer incident) and removed roughly seven truckloads of accumulated dewatered grit. Structural evaluation showed the steel components to be in good condition, which reduced the immediate capital scope that had been anticipated; some projects will be deferred or reprioritized as a result.
- Regulatory changes: The WPDES (wastewater) permit reissuance is underway. Staff expect official, lower phosphorus limits (TMDL) and more structured PFAS testing requirements. That will influence treatment and monitoring costs and potentially trigger future capital projects.
- Solids handling and compost: The city is adjusting solids beneficial reuse approaches; the current agricultural land application pathway may change in future years and staff are researching alternate beneficial uses.
- Facility planning: Utilities will work with Facilities Management to develop a master facility plan next year to align capital projects, building envelope and HVAC work with treatment priorities. Staff flagged concrete settling, retaining wall forces and a number of deferred maintenance items for study; some capital projects remain in the five‑year queue.

What the committee asked and next steps
Aldermen probed the timeline for permit reissuance and the implications on capital. Staff said a public comment period will open soon and that the permit changes would be drafted over the coming year. The committee approved the wastewater budget; utilities will provide follow‑up on the master facility plan and permit compliance timelines.