Monroe approves design contract for wastewater plant expansion; consultant cites $38 million construction estimate

The City of Monroe approved a design engineering contract with Fairgram to move forward on wastewater treatment plant improvements identified in a recently completed facility plan. Jesse Duff of Fairgram told the council the design supports roughly $38,000,000 in construction improvements intended to address regulatory compliance, operations and plant expansion.

Duff said the facility plan was submitted to the state Department of Natural Resources and that the design work will follow a two‑year design period and about two years of construction. He described three improvement areas tied to regulatory compliance, operations and expansion and said the project would reduce biosolids requiring land application substantially — from roughly 6,150 cubic yards per year under the current process to about 920 cubic yards under the proposed improvements.

Council members asked whether industry would shoulder costs and about enforcement tools. A staff presenter said industries already pay a large share of the plant load and that, based on the city's analysis, industry accounts for roughly 60% of the wastewater revenue; the proposed approach includes tiered surcharge rates for discharges above permit limits to incentivize compliance. Duff and the consulting team said some renewable or methane‑capture options had been considered but that cost‑benefit and available incentive programs would determine inclusion.

The council approved the design contract by roll call. The contract authorizes Fairgram to proceed with engineering design for the improvements.