Wastewater plant permitted with new nitrogen limits; utility plans $3.5M first phase to regain capacity

Utility staff reported the wastewater treatment plant passed a recent Department of Ecology inspection but that Ecology identified several areas of concern, including dated or broken equipment and limitations in the plant's rated hydraulic capacity. The utility said a new discharge permit was issued Oct. 25 and went into effect Nov. 1 and adds testing parameters and a new total nitrogen limit.

"We passed our inspection, and we did get our new permit," the presenter said, while also noting Ecology officials identified several major areas of concern that require corrective work and submittals in 2026. The utility is working with engineering partner BHC Consultants on a phased upgrade plan. Staff described a phase 1 scope to construct anaerobic digesters and solids‑handling improvements intended to restore hydraulic capacity; the presenter estimated phase 1 costs at approximately $3,500,000.

The presenter told residents the utility will submit required 2026 documents to Ecology — including infiltration/inflow evaluations and updated operations and maintenance manuals — and that the new nitrogen limit was set on past performance and would not be increased by Ecology. He said a loan and surcharge to cover construction costs could begin in 2026 and estimated a household impact of roughly $10 per month, depending on loan length and final cost allocations.