Wisconsin DNR Taking Comments on Kiel Wastewater Upgrade

The city wants to finance the three-phase project with a Wisconsin Clean Water Fund loan, USDA Rural Development money, and funds from other sources.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is accepting public comments until March 10 on a proposed upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant in Kiel, Wis., now that the city has requested approval from DNR to make improvements.

The plant was built in 1965. "Although the plant has been upgraded periodically, many of the structures and piping systems have been in service for 30 to 50 years and are in need of replacement or repair. Wastewater flows and pollutant loadings to the plant are increasing. In addition, the upgrade is designed to bring the facility into compliance with legislatively scheduled changes to effluent limits for biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, ammonia and phosphorus, all based on water quality," according to DNR's announcement, which says the proposed improvements would be implemented in three phases:

  • Phase I, beginning in 2017, will upgrade the primary clarifiers; anaerobic digesters; the high-strength waste-receiving station; and disinfection system. The capital cost of Phase 1 is estimated to be $3,803,000.
  • Phase 2, beginning in 2019, includes upgrades to influent screens and aeration basins, new blowers and aeration equipment, the addition of membrane bioreactor equipment, installation of new biosolids dewatering equipment, and miscellaneous electrical, instrumentation, structural and site improvements. Phase 2 has an estimated capital cost of $9,875,700.
  • Phase 3, to start in 2020, includes a biosolids drying system and miscellaneous electrical, instrumentation and site work. Phase 3 has an estimated capital cost of $5,887,200.

The city wants to finance the project with a Wisconsin Clean Water Fund loan, USDA Rural Development money, and funds from other sources. Comments should be directed to Gerry Novotny, Water Quality Bureau, Department of Natural Resources, Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707, 608-267-7625.

Featured Webinar