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Boardman reviews wastewater facilities plan as growth projections tighten lagoon capacity
Summary
Anderson Perry presented an updated wastewater facilities plan, saying existing lagoons would be hydraulically sufficient for about 20 years under PSU projections; options include splitting treatment service and siting a new lagoon south of the freeway.
Mike Lees of engineering firm Anderson Perry told the Boardman City Council on June 2 that the citys wastewater facilities plan was updated to reflect recent PSU population forecasts and system changes since the last plan in 2020–2021. "We reassessed the wastewater treatment facility and collection system and looked forward through a 20-year planning period," Lees said.
Lees said the plan uses PSUs required population projection (about 1.3% growth) for regulatory review but noted the city can document additional local flows (for example, a 240-unit apartment complex and industrial growth) when sizing projects. He said that under the plans assumptions the existing lagoons would hydraulically handle flows through the 20-year horizon but would near capacity at about that point, prompting the need to consider expansion or alternative arrangements.
Councilor Hughes pressed whether PSUs projections understate local growth and what options exist to avoid being "hamstrung" by that number; Lees explained that Oregon Administrative Rules require using PSU projections for planning documents but that engineers can add documented, site-specific flow estimates to the design criteria. "Youre bound by the OAR to use that number," Lees said, "but you can add anticipated residents or industrial flows and note it in the plan."
The presentation framed several long-term options, including expanding the land-application area, building an additional lagoon system south of the freeway, or splitting treatment so the existing lagoons serve areas north of the freeway while a new facility serves southern growth. Lees said the split would reduce hydraulic conveyance to the existing lagoons and extend their effective life. City staff and engineers will use the facilities plan to engage state agencies and create a road map for any major expansion or annexation process.
Next steps include continuing collection-system inspections, documenting additional local flows where justified, and using the facilities plan as a basis for outreach to state agencies and potential land acquisition discussions.
