Wastewater Treatment Facility Comprehensive Plan Update
The Wastewater Treatment Facility Comprehensive Plan Update will study and evaluate the condition and capacity of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). The study will determine the ability of the WWTP to meet the needs of Grand Island’s community and its ability to comply with State and Federal discharge requirements. Planning will consider development through the year 2040 planning horizon.
Similar comprehensive planning projects were carried out in 2005, 2012, and 2019. The Wastewater Treatment Facility Comprehensive Plan Update will build on the results of those previous studies by evaluating existing operating perimeters and comparing to past assumptions, creating and calibrating an up-to-date model of the plant using past collected data and using this tool to project timelines for future improvements to meet projected flow rates and environmental discharge criteria.
The 2025 WWTP Comprehensive Plan Update will leverage findings and work done in previous studies to continue building a robust plan for the Grand Island treatment plant. Most notably, the 2025 update will build upon the findings of the 2010 Wastewater Collection and Treatment Systems Comprehensive Plan Update (CH2MHill) and upon the results of the 2019 BNR/Blower Study Implementation Plan (HDR). As a result of the 2010 study numerous improvements were made at the wastewater treatment plant. They included new headworks and grit buildings, modifications to clarifier mechanisms, and aeration basin improvements. The 2019 report, which focused on biological nutrient reduction (BNR) and blower sizing for the aeration basins, was utilized to guide enhancements at the plant which were recently completed as a part of the Flow Improvements Project (2020-WWTP-4). Those enhancements include better flow measurement and flow diversion, improved plant recycle capability, an upgraded carbon-source distribution system, and upgrades to prepare the plant for forecasted future regulatory restrictions. Also of note, a similar master collection system plan update is tentatively scheduled for 2027. Previous studies were completed in 2014 (Master Plan - B&V) and 2021(South Interceptor/Buffer Tank- B&V).
On January 14, 2025, via Resolution No. 2025-7, City Council approved the agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc. of Omaha, NE in the amount of $297,607.00 for engineering consulting services for the Wastewater Treatment Facility Comprehensive Plan Update.