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City hears progress report on $40M wastewater upgrade, planners outline next phase to meet 2030 phosphorus limit
Summary
City engineers and the project lead told the council the downtown wastewater treatment rehabilitation is substantially complete on many structures, the total program stands just over $40 million, and the next phase will expand capacity from 4.2 to 4.9 MGD and add biological and tertiary treatment to meet a 0.5 mg/L phosphorus limit by 2030.
The Batavia City Council received a detailed June update on the downtown wastewater treatment rehabilitation project on Monday, with the project lead saying the work is entering finishing stages and planning is under way for a larger second phase to meet upcoming regulatory limits.
Jerry Ruth, introduced at the meeting as the project reporter and lead on site, told the council the contractor has completed many major elements — brick facades, roofing touchups, hoists, process piping and clarifier rehabilitation — and that “we're just over $40 million” for engineering and construction combined. He said the contractor is about 63% ahead on schedule and about 90% complete on cost metrics, and that startup and staff training are expected in the month or month-and-a-half ahead.
The presentation framed the current work as part of a multi-phase program to meet tighter effluent standards imposed on Fox River dischargers. Ruth said the city must “hit 0.5 by 2030,” pointing to phosphorus limits as a main driver for the next investment. The council heard that the planned phase 2B would expand capacity from 4.2 million gallons per day (MGD) to 4.9 MGD, add new aeration basins for biological nutrient removal, and install tertiary filtration and UV disinfection to improve consistency of phosphorus and nitrogen removal.
City officials described recent project results: the final clarifier rehabilitation is finished, hoists have been load-tested, electrical and HVAC work is nearing completion, and site grading and duct bank construction are wrapping up. Ruth said some minor piping and noncritical work will proceed as subcontractors finish remaining items; he described a typical construction schedule that anticipates bidding for the next major phase in 2027 and construction between 2028 and 2032 if planning approvals proceed on schedule.
Councilors asked about public outreach and regional interest. One councilor suggested an open house so residents can see the new infrastructure; Ruth agreed and said he would support an event. Officials also noted that neighboring municipalities are watching the project and that federal and state grant funding has supported work to date.
Why it matters: The plant upgrade is intended to keep Batavia in compliance with nutrient limits for the Fox River, reduce the city’s reliance on chemical phosphorus removal, and provide the capacity and tertiary treatment needed as the region grows. The project timeline stretches into the next decade and includes regulatory uncertainty that could expand scope beyond current plans.
Next steps: Officials said planning approval for phase 2B is pending with EPA/state review; a heavier design effort is expected this year, with bidding projected in 2027 and construction in 2028–2032. City staff will continue to report monthly progress to the council.
