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Commission selects sequencing batch reactor design for new wastewater plant
Summary
After hearing from DEQ and consultants, the commission chose the sequencing batch reactor (SBR) option—cited as lower cost and adequate for the city’s discharge context—over a membrane bioreactor (MBR); staff and consultants will proceed with SBR design work.
The commission approved proceeding with a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) design for the city’s new wastewater treatment plant after staff and a DEQ regional representative described benefits and trade-offs of SBR versus membrane bioreactor (MBR).
DEQ regional staff told the commission that, given Warrenton’s discharge to the Columbia River, an SBR approach is defensible and pretreatment of industrial dischargers is key to avoiding future treatment limits. Mike Penney, the DEQ regional contact on the call, said, "You have the advantage of discharging to the Columbia River... Ammonia, the only thing I see that might be a problem in the future, but here SBR range can take care of ammonia." Commissioners cited budget constraints and population-growth projections in recommending SBR as the more feasible near-term option. A motion to approve the SBR design passed unanimously; Kennedy/Jenks and city staff will continue detailed design and value-engineering steps.
The meeting also included discussion of future septage acceptance and capacity planning. A consultant noted a planning-level estimate for septage handling with a population-equivalent of about 600 people if the city elects to accept septage in the future; commissioners discussed reserving capacity and charging out‑of‑area rates to offset impacts on city ratepayers.
