Ken Jones recommended that the Bremen Town Council consider building a new Wastewater Treatment Facility.
Jones, from the engineering firm JPR, recommended the construction of a new facility after the firm conducted a study of the current facility.
Jones stated, “The facility, having been built in 1964 and upgraded in a limited way in 1977, I think the town’s staff has probably run about every year and dollar out of that facility that they could probably get.”
He said deficiencies exist with every process at the current Wastewater Treatment Facility.
“Jones continued, “It has condition issues, operational struggles, and there’s some safety issues with the way the thing is designed and built and operates.”
A new outfall to the river would also be installed to protect the plant from flooding.
He noted that several options were considered, including the renovation of the current facility, but Jones said that the extent of renovations needed would not allow the existing facility to continue to operate while being compliant with standards which is required.
An aeration treatment facility, an oxidation plant, and a package treatment plant developed around the Aero-Mod technology were reviewed. Jones said the best solution for the Town of Bremen would be the package treatment plant.
Most of the old plant would be demolished.
Jones suggested working with Baker Tilly on how the town could work to pay for a proposed $11.5 million cost of a new facility. The town may be eligible for state revolving loan funds for projects like these.
Regardless, Jones noted that Bremen is expanding with industrial infrastructure and the town needs to accommodate that growth.
“The ability to receive, treat wastewater effectively and not have operational issues and compliance issues really is what we’re talking about here,” commented Jones.
As part of the process, the wastewater rates would be reviewed for possible adjustment.
The Bremen Town Council members agreed to review the study provided by JPR and discuss how to move forward in a future meeting.
