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King George officials hear $9M-plus Dahlgren wastewater plant upgrade plan; DEQ grants could change timing
Summary
Consultants presented a multi-tier assessment of the Dahlgren wastewater plant identifying immediate repairs and upgrades totaling millions of dollars and outlining options for denitrification, septage receiving and clarifier/digester work; staff said DEQ grant funding could accelerate priorities.
A consulting engineer told the King George Board of Supervisors on Aug. 5 that the Dahlgren wastewater plant needs phased rehabilitation and upgrades that together amount to several million dollars.
The consultant, Bob Crowenger, summarized earlier immediate repairs costing about $3.66 million and outlined a four-tier plan that includes a Tier 1 headworks and denitrification project (~$859,000), Tier 2 septage receiving and equalization upgrades (~$4.86 million), and Tier 3 clarifier and digester repairs (~$183,000). Crowenger said the plant’s mechanical fine screen had failed and a manual bar rack was allowing solids to build up, driving an operational problem that contributes to permit compliance risk.
The report detailed recommended work on aeration systems, sludge recycling, influent pumping-station rehabilitation, upgraded biological treatment to improve nutrient removal, additional mechanical screening and improved compressed-air and valve systems in digesters. Crowenger said some equipment is at “end of useful life” and that fixes would be split into professional services, capital improvements and O&M upgrades.
Board members and Service Authority leadership discussed funding options. Service Authority General Manager Dan Hamilton and Supervisor Collins pressed for clarity on grant opportunities; Hamilton said the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) had signaled possible funding but that application windows and deadlines needed confirmation. Staff committed to report back on available grants and application timelines at the next meeting.
Crowenger and staff also discussed a potential revenue stream from accepting septage (onsite septic tank waste) if the facility upgrades a dedicated receiving facility and obtains DEQ approval; the consultant noted that septage currently can contain inert solids that stress the biological reactor unless routed to a digester designed to accept it.
The presentation concluded with a request that the board consider phased investment and help prioritize projects should grant funding be available. Supervisors asked staff to return with specific grant-deadline information and with a schedule for applications.
