Hearing on Wastewater Treatment Plant project

The city of Green River will conduct a public hearing at 7 p.m. Aug. 16 in the council chambers at City Hall. The purpose of the hearing is to provide information to citizens about the increase in the amount the city of Green River plans to borrow to fund the cost of the City of Green River Wastewater Treatment Plant Replacement Facility Construction Project.

This project includes the construction of a new activated sludge wastewater treatment facility to replace its existing lagoon system, originally constructed in 1962. The work will involve the construction of a new headworks facility, oxidation ditch, clarifiers, sludge digester, and UV disinfection system. A new laboratory and administration building will also be constructed. The new facility will be located at 300 East Teton Boulevard, directly adjacent to the existing wastewater treatment plant. The majority of the existing WWTP infrastructure will be removed and the property eventually reclaimed. Completion of the new construction is currently expected around mid-2025.

The city of Green River has currently secured loans totaling $30 million from the Wyoming Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund administered by the Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments. Due to projected costs increases, the city will need to borrow an additional $7.5 million, in addition to seeking available grants. The interest rates on the city’s loans have recently been adjusted from 2.5% to 0.5%, which have repayment periods of 20 years for the design loan and 30 years for the construction loan. Increased user fees will repay the loans. Monthly wastewater rates will be increased on an annual basis until typical monthly rates are adequate for the expected debt service in accordance with the city’s recently prepared Cost of Service Study. Actual rates will depend on individual customer water usage. Current project plans, cost estimates, and funding information can be reviewed at the City of Green River Development Services office. Contact Mark Westenskow at 307-872-0525 for questions.

Written comments are also welcome and must be received by 5 p.m. Aug. 16. Send written comments to Mark Westenskow, Director of Public Works, 50 East 2nd North Street, Green River, WY 82935 or mwestenskow@cityofgreenriver.org.