Council approves wastewater facility plan; consultant estimates $23.4M pathway and potential $9/month rate impact

Applied Technologies presented the City of Oconomowoc’s wastewater treatment facilities plan and the Common Council voted to approve the report and allow staff to submit it to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Leo Cousek and Jim Smith of Applied Technologies framed the plan as a 20-year roadmap to address population growth and peak flows that — absent improvements — will bring the plant to capacity around 2030. The plan highlights needs including increased hydraulic capacity (additional primary clarification), improved preliminary treatment to reduce debris entering the plant, updated biosolids handling and replacement of outdated electrical and control systems.

Cousek said the high-level planning estimate increased from about $21 million at the earlier presentation to roughly $23.4 million after additional checks. He stressed the figure was a preliminary, facility-plan level cost and that a final number will come after detailed design and competitive bidding. He said, if all recommended elements were included, the combined cost could translate to an approximate $9-per-month increase for customers (about a 24% wastewater rate increase) in the facility-level scenario, though that impact could be reduced through phasing and scoping choices.

Council members discussed whether to pursue one large contract with planned sequencing or to phase smaller projects. Several members urged careful up-front engineering and sequencing to avoid increased long-term costs from delays. Tim (wastewater staff) said the next steps include preparing an RFP and advancing design; he recommended submitting the current facility plan to the DNR after the public hearing and council approval.

Action: Council approved the resolution to submit the wastewater facility plan report to the Wisconsin DNR and directed staff to develop procurement documents and sequencing recommendations for future council review.

What’s next: After DNR review and detailed design, competitive bids will determine final cost; staff estimated planning and engineering could take about a year with construction possibly lasting two years depending on scope and market conditions.