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Wastewater director presents 2025 annual report; council and staff discuss expansion timeline
Summary
The wastewater director reviewed the Walnut Creek treatment plant’s 2025 annual report, noting permitted capacity of 2.0 MGD (2.5 MGD short‑term maximum), current flows of about 1.0–1.3 MGD, strong compliance record, and recommended upgrades; staff said a 3 MGD expansion would take roughly 18 months to 2 years from design to bid.
Wastewater staff gave a technical overview of the Walnut Creek Water Pollution Control Plant and its 2025 annual report, highlighting operational processes, compliance, and maintenance needs.
The director described the facility’s configuration (extended aeration, secondary clarification, UV disinfection) and said the plant’s permitted average design capacity is 2,000,000 gallons per day with a short‑term maximum of 2.5 million gallons per day for up to seven days. Current average flows were reported at roughly 1.0–1.3 MGD. The department noted 21 consecutive years of 100% NPDES compliance and recounted lab certifications and operational statistics (sample counts, pump station trips, biosolids tonnage and land application operations).
Council members asked about capacity and the status of nearby pump stations. The wastewater director confirmed responsibility for Mountain Brook and Wade Farm pump stations and said operators believe Mountain Brook is not at full capacity. City administration and staff discussed recent correspondence with engineering (Turnipseed) and noted that if the council elects to expand to a 3 MGD permitted capacity, Turnipseed estimated a design and bid timeline of about 18 months to two years before construction would begin.
Council discussed funding and the engineering services contract for the expansion, with staff indicating the engineering agreement is in place and design could begin pending council direction. The council also heard about capital needs at the plant (motor and gearbox replacements, bypass line work) and approval requests tied to wastewater repairs that align with the budget amendment passed at the meeting.
Next steps: staff will provide the Turnipseed correspondence to council members, proceed with contract steps as directed, and return any additional scheduling or budget requests to council for approval.
