City seeks treatment plant

The city is moving forward with plans to replace the aging wastewater treatment system in Green River.

Much of the current treatment equipment is reaching 30 years old, the end of their feasible life.

There are some structural concerns as well. The biggest issue, according to the city’s engineer, Mark Westenskow, is the inability for the plant’s technology in the lagoons to meet the removal requirements for nutrients.

An excess amount of the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus can lead to excess algae growth in bodies of water.

The city’s wastewater treatment plant currently meets EPA requirements, but those requirements and water discharge limits are expected to become stricter in the next few years. Green River just received its permit for 2016. The permit cycle lasts five years and the city will need to meet requirements again in 2021.

“We’re going to be required to do these things, and we’re trying to be proactive about it so we don’t get into a position somewhere where we’re in violations,” Westenskow said. “We want to make sure that we’re keeping that river clean.”

Westenskow said the basin Green River is in provides water to about 40 million people.

“The more we can do to clean up our discharge, that helps everyone downstream,” he said.

Because of the changes that will be made though and the replacement of the plant, there will be rate increases for Green River’s residents.

“If we want that plan to last another 40 years, we’re going to have to do things differently down there, and that’s going to be expensive,” he said. “That’s something we want people to understand and know.”

People aren’t necessarily aware this is even happening, he said.

“We want to let people know, and let them know that there is an opportunity to get education about the whole process.”

“We’re going to have to raise rates and then the comments are going to come,” city council member Alan Wilson said.

Residents are welcome to pose concerns before any changes occur, and the city is looking to hear residents’ input at this time.

Construction is planned to start in 2018.

The city has unsuccessfully applied for grants to pay for the treatment plant project, with plans to continue applying for future grants.