Eastman seeks DNR approval for wastewater treatment upgrade
The village of Eastman has requested approval from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to upgrade its existing wastewater treatment facility.
The village’s treatment facility has historically performed adequately and complied with DNR discharge standards. The facility, however, is approximately 25 years old and various unit treatment processes need to be rehabilitated, replaced and upgraded to accommodate projected future residential growth and help maintain overall system performance reliability over the next 20 years. Also, the village is required to comply with new effluent standards for phosphorus for continued discharge to Pine Creek.
The proposed project generally includes an upgrade of the existing wastewater treatment facility including installation of a new influent wastewater screening unit, modifications to the existing treatment tanks to facilitate biological phosphorus reduction, replacement of the existing aeration equipment, replacement of the existing chlorination and dechlorination effluent disinfection unit with a new ultraviolet light disinfection unit and various minor improvements.
The estimated construction cost of the overall project is $649,000. The village intends to seek assistance through the state’s Clean Water Fund Small Loan program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development program to help finance the proposed project.
The impact on residential user charges will be assessed by the village upon further review of the project costs, revenue needs and overall funding options.
This is an equivalent analysis action under Chapter NR 150, Wis. Adm. Code, and does not require an environmental review in addition to the facilities plan review. Public comments on the project are welcome and can be directed to Steve Smith at DNR (WQ/3), P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI., 53707-7921, or by email at stephen.smith@wisconsin.gov or by calling at (608) 266-7580. Comments will be accepted through April 8, 2016.
