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Consultants recommend renewing Greendale water plant to meet 20-year demand; $5 million estimate
Summary
American Structure Point told the Greendale board that renewing the town's 1955 water treatment plant and adding process changes (blending/bypass) would meet projected 20-year demand of 2.65 million gallons per day, with a capital estimate of about $5 million. The board accepted the report and directed staff to pursue funding options.
American Structure Point recommended that Greendale renew its existing water treatment plant rather than build a new softener building or fully regionalize with Lawrenburg, saying renewal would meet projected demand while preserving local control.
"The recommendation was to move forward with renewing the Greendale Water Treatment Plant that really would meet your future demands," said Karen Seedra, project manager at American Structure Point, describing a plan that relies on process changes and phased equipment renewals to increase reliable capacity.
The firm presented a study of current and future demand: peak flow in 2024 was about 1.58 million gallons per day, which consultants estimated at roughly 89% of current treatment capacity. Using growth assumptions and known development proposals, the study projected a 20-year demand of about 2.65 million gallons per day, creating an estimated shortfall near 0.85 million gallons per day.
American Structure Point evaluated three main alternatives: modifying the existing footprint by adding softeners (which it found infeasible because of space constraints); constructing a new softener building and related expansions (estimated construction cost about $8.3 million); and regionalizing treatment with nearby Lawrenburg (analysis showed potential capital and contractual unknowns and limited operational control). The firm concluded that renewing the existing plant and changing how water is softened — including blending and bypass techniques that would slightly reduce perceived softness while meeting regulatory limits — could meet the projected demand within the existing footprint at a capital cost the consultant estimated at approximately $5 million.
Seedra said Greendale’s building and clear well were structurally sound for reuse and that the plant could be phased so customers continue to receive water during construction. She also said current well testing did not show PFAS at levels of concern and that the study included space planning should PFAS treatment become necessary in future.
Board members pressed the consultants on timeline, staffing and cost comparisons. One board member warned that ‘‘doing nothing is not an option’’ given aging electrical and control equipment and two softeners dating to the 1930s. Consultants and staff noted design and construction would still take roughly two years from the start of design and emphasized the need to refine estimates and pursue available low-interest state loans or grants.
The board voted to accept the report as presented and directed staff to continue project definition and funding exploration (motion recorded and approved by voice; detailed vote tally not specified). The consultant said next steps are further design, cost refinement and public communications about any temporary changes in water softness that might occur during construction.
