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Plant manager warns of capacity, IDEM ordered action plan and possible expansion
Summary
The wastewater plant reported flows near 92% capacity in March; staff told council IDEM requested an updated action plan related to small solids and that an expansion and improved solids removal are planned to address operational limits.
Plant staff reported high flows — 8,548,200 gallons in March with an average daily flow of 275,000 — and said that for several months the plant has been operating above 90% of capacity, triggering increased oversight from IDEM. The plant manager (Speaker 8) said the team submitted a revised action plan in response to inspection comments and that the agency requested schedule details for plant expansion.
"We had 8,548,200 gallons that went through the facility. Average daily flow of 275,000...The plant capacity was at 92%," the plant manager said. Staff described minimal solids found during the inspection but noted that because the plant discharges to a small drainage ditch rather than a larger river, visual algae and solids are more noticeable and require remedial measures.
Council and staff discussed possible improvements including a solids‑removal device (centrifuge or belt press), a flow equalization basin, pump replacements, and potential changes to clarify discharge points with IDEM. Staff said they aim to begin expansion later this year and recommended exploring capital investments that would reduce annual solids‑removal hauling costs.
