Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wastewater Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tooele public works warns wastewater plant nearing treatment capacity; oxidation ditch and biosolids upgrades planned
Summary
Public Works Director Nathan Farr told the council Tooele’s wastewater plant is approaching its 3.4 MGD treatment rating while influent and single-day spikes approach or exceed that limit; staff described a recent microorganism die-off, recovery steps, a multi-project plan (biosolids, UV disinfection, sewer lines, additional aeration and a second oxidation ditch), preliminary cost estimates, and a need to pursue bonding and grants.
Public Works Director Nathan Farr briefed the Tooele City Council on urgent capacity and operational issues at the city’s wastewater treatment plant, including a recent die-off of treatment microorganisms, rising average flows and occasional one-day spikes that have approached or exceeded the plant’s rated treatment capacity.
Farr said the treatment plant, brought online in 2000, was upgraded in 2008 to a roughly 3.4 million-gallons-per-day (MGD) treatment rating. A Headworks building completed in 2024 increased influent receiving capability to nearly 8 MGD but did not increase treatment capacity. Farr reported current average annual flows near 2.9 MGD and said staff recorded single-day spikes up to 3.6 MGD this year — levels that can overwhelm the biological treatment process.
Farr explained that biological treatment relies on a balanced population of microorganisms (“bugs”) and described a recent, unexplained mixed-liquor kill that temporarily reduced the plant’s ability to treat wastewater. Staff sourced biological material from other treatment facilities, increased aeration, and used an emergency air stopgap approved via email to stabilize operations. Farr said the plant is tentatively recovering but remains vulnerable while flows rise.
Planned capital work includes a biosolids processing upgrade (greenhouse drying to produce Class A material and reduce hauling costs), a UV disinfection upgrade, two sewer-line projects to reduce collection-system constraints, additions of aeration/sublimation capacity, and construction of a second oxidation ditch with accompanying clarifiers. Farr estimated the oxidation ditch alone could cost in the $30–$40 million range and said bonding plus state and federal grants will be needed; a larger figure mentioned in the presentation was not clarified during Q&A.
Council members asked about causes of the spikes and whether weather was responsible; Farr said spikes did not correlate to weather, that staff will deploy targeted flow monitoring to trace unauthorized connections or business discharges, and that they will pursue pond repairs and closer collaboration with the golf course that uses reclaimed water. Farr invited council and staff to a plant tour scheduled for the following day.
No formal funding measure was approved tonight; Farr said he will present budget requests and bonding plans at a future meeting.
