Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project (2011 LGAA)

Village of Weedsport (Winner)
County: Cayuga County
Population: Less than 5,000
Village Hall: (315) 834-663

The Village of Weedsport's aged sanitary system and 0.30 MGD activated sludge wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) had an average daily flow of nearly 100% of the plant's capacity. Peak wet weather flows in excess of the plant's influent pumping capacity occasionally necessitated emergency bypass pumping operations. The Village and Barton & Loguidice, P.C., completed a combined collection system I/I Study and Facilities Plan to reduce wet-weather flows and provides a "green" solution to upgrading the WWTP.

The WWTP improvement projects maximized use of two existing treatment tanks, converting each to a new Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBRs) and adding a third SBR to treat to more stringent ammonia limits imposed by NYSDEC. As a result, the projects have ensured reliable sewer service for the next generation of Weedsport residents. Specifically, the WWTP improvements added another 30 years of service life to the Village's aged plant, increasing treatment capacity to 0.55 mgd to accommodate future growth in the Village and surrounding town areas. In addition, sewer rehabilitation work effectively "created" capacity in the collection system. Collectively, the program eliminated the reoccurrence of wet-weather sanitary sewer overflows at the WWTP, and the bypassing of raw sewage has been minimized, improving water quality. Solids handling efficiency improved significantly by moving the once portable belt filter press inside. Finally, a new Asset Management Plan monitors equipment, develops annual budgets, prompts operator work orders, and sustains the Village's Sewer Fund for the life of the plant. The Plan will also result in stability in sewer use rates, as well as the reliability of sewer service.

This project was funded partially by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) and NYSERDA. While ARRA Funds may be depleted, the Green Innovation Grant Program and NYSERDA FlexTech programs are examples of creative financing options that municipalities can tap to expand and upgrade facilities while obtaining greater energy efficiency. The funding package allowed the Village to establish a capital reserve fund for future repair/replacement of equipment so that the Village will not be dependent on a federal funding program to replace their sewer infrastructure in another 40 years. Finally, energy efficient features are estimated to save 170,000 kilowatt-hours of power per year.