Water Resource Recovery Facility Major Capital Improvements Project

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Why is this project necessary and how will the Township pay for it?

The plant is at the end of its useful life Delta Township’s WRRF was constructed 55 years ago, with expansions in 1972 and 1986, which means the newest equipment is 34 years old. The equipment and structures are worn out and the plant is experiencing frequent and costly equipment failures.
The plant needs new equipment to meet future water quality requirements While the plant has historically met or surpassed required treatment standards, in 2019 the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) added tougher treatment standards to our discharge permit in an effort to improve water quality in the Grand River. This requires a new treatment process that the existing plant does not have.
The plant is nearing capacity with approximately 10,300 residential, commercial, and industrial customers, including the State Secondary Complex and General Motors, the plant currently treats almost 5 million gallons of raw sewage per day, which is over 80% of its design capacity. A modest increase in capacity will allow for continued growth in the Township.

Funding Sources:

The Township has secured a twenty-year low interest (1.875%) loan through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) which is administered by the State of Michigan Department of Environmental, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). The Township will make payments on the loan from the sewer fund which is funded by rates charged to sewer system users. In 2020, in anticipation of this project, the Township began increasing sewer rates at a rate of 7.25% annually. Annual rate increases will continue at an estimated rate of 9% for the next several years to generate the amount needed for the annual bond payment.

Construction:

The project will be constructed in phases. The first phase is planned to begin in mid-June 2022 and is expected to be completed by January 2025. Design work for the second phase is expected to begin in 2023 with construction to be scheduled at a later date. These improvements will allow the facility to meet tougher discharge limits that take effect in 2027.

All work will occur at the existing WRRF on Willow Highway. Most of the work will be done inside the existing fenced WRRF site with some intermittent road closures on Willow Hwy near the facility for sewer construction. No offsite work or expansion of the current plant boundary is anticipated.

Findings of No Significant Environmental Impact Report

As the Township nears construction on its new Water Resource Recovery Facility, it is required to post its findings of No Significant Environmental Impact, as required by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). The following notice is hereby posted for public input. Any resident or interested party may submit public comments on these findings until January 17. Any comments regarding this preliminary decision should be submitted to Kelly Green, Administrator, Water Infrastructure Financing Section, EGLE, Constitution Hall, P.O. Box 30457, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7957.

EGLE Environmental Impact Letter