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Officials warn treatment plant nearing capacity; council urged to prioritize collection‑system fixes and funding
Summary
Wastewater staff reported the plant ran at 75% capacity for the month and 88.5% year‑to‑date, outlined wet‑weather infiltration concerns, and presented a probable cost estimate of roughly $40 million for a multi‑year treatment‑plant and collection‑system overhaul; council discussed sequencing, wet‑weather inspections, and funding options including developer cost‑shares.
Wastewater staff told the council Whiteland’s treatment plant and collection system are approaching operational limits and recommended the town prioritize collection‑system repairs, wet‑weather inspections and updated engineering before locking in a financing plan.
“The plant itself last month, we did a total of 19,000,000 gallons. That was at, 75% capacity, and an overall treatment rate of 98%,” said Jesse, the wastewater official who delivered the monthly report. He added the system is at about 88.5% capacity for the year and that wet‑weather flows had skewed monthly peaks higher.
Staff said a combination of projects will be needed: relief to the Chadwell lift, a main interceptor upgrade from Pearl Street to the plant, and a treatment‑plant overhaul. An opinion of probable cost included a rough estimate near $40 million and a multi‑year schedule of about 3½ years for full replacement, subject to updated design and wet‑weather inspection results.
Council and staff agreed that completing smoke testing, CCTV and wet‑weather inspections to quantify infiltration and inflow (I&I) should be a priority because correcting I&I can reduce plant loading and potentially defer larger capital work. Staff noted that some components, such as the CHADLO project, might be paid cash while larger plant upgrades would likely require bonding or other financing and a rate‑study discussion.
Why it matters: At roughly 90% capacity, the wastewater system constrains future growth and new taps, and failing to address I&I and chokepoints could halt new development. Determining the mix of repairs, timing and developer cost‑shares will shape service availability and utility rates.
Next steps: Staff will update the project list and coordinate wet‑weather inspections; council will consider rate‑study recommendations and funding options in subsequent meetings.
