Plans for new treatment plant move forward

Plans for a new headworks building for the Village of Grafton’s Water and Wastewater Department are moving forward following a public hearing on the $7.39 million facility on Tuesday. 

The current facility is about 35 years old and is “no longer effective,” Director of Planning and Development Jessica Wolff told the Plan Commission.

Typically, water-treatment facilities have a 20-year lifespan, Wolff said.

Utility Supt. Tim Nennig said the new facility will accommodate growth in the village for the next 20 to 30 years. The headworks building will also replace a screw-pump facility that will be demolished.

No residents spoke during the hearing, but Wolff said she received several phone calls from residents east of the facility at 1900 Ninth Ave. with questions. She said the residents didn’t have any concerns about the project after the details were explained.

The new 11,574-square-foot facility will be built on the west side of the current site near the railroad tracks.

Equipment in the existing headworks building will be removed. The future use of the building hasn’t been determined.

Last year, the Village Board approved 16.9% sewer and water rate increases to support maintenance and new construction of the facility. Rates are expected to continue increasing during the next couple years for the project. 

MSA Professional Services conducted an infrastructure evaluation that revealed each level of the wastewater-treatment facility had deficiencies. 

Following the public hearing, the Plan Commission approved a site plan and conditional-use permit for the new facility.

Officials said construction will begin in fall and is expected to be complete by the end of 2020.  

In addition to the new building, the project includes updates to screening equipment and electrical and generator upgrades. 

The headworks building is the first of three utility projects that will be supported by revenue from the rate increase. The other two include buying new equipment for filtering biosolids planned for 2023 and an activated-sludge project scheduled for 2028.