Increases treatment capacity in preparation for reducing combined sewer overflows

Fort Wayne, Ind. — Mayor Tom Henry dedicated an expansion of Fort Wayne City Utilities Water Pollution Control plant Friday morning that will help the City improve river water quality and create increased sewage treatment capacity for decades to come.

The Mayor, joined by City Utilities staff and project contractors, dedicated the four tanks of the primary clarifier at the plant on Dwenger Avenue, which is used in the treatment of raw sewage.

“This project represents a significant step in reducing combined sewer overflows and creating improved water quality for our local rivers” said Mayor Henry. “This is the kind of project that most people will never notice, but it’s an important part of our treatment process and keeps our sewage treatment running smoothly.”

When work is completed on the pumps, the clarifiers will be able to handle 85 million gallons per day. That’s more than a 40 percent increase of the current capabilities of 60 million gallons per day.

The new clarifiers are wider and deeper and will allow more sludge to settle at the bottom during the treatment process. This greatly reduces the amount of sludge that travels on to the aeration basins and leaves more room in aeration basins and secondary clarifiers to treat wastewater.

The new tanks replace smaller and older tanks built in the 1940s and 1960s.

The primary clarifier is one of the projects that City Utilities will construct over the next 18 years. It is part of the Combined Sewer Overflow Reduction and Long Term Control Plan, a $239.4 million dollar initiative that will reduce combined sewer overflow by 90 percent. It will also improve the quality of water in local rivers for future generations.

“I hope that everyone will actively participate in the support and ownership of this plant’s future environmental role in protecting the health and well being of the people of this great Fort Wayne community,” said Mark Gensic, manager of City Utilities planning design services.

The $32.4 million investment for this project kept more than two-thirds of the money in the local economy. $25 million came back to the community, as more than 20 local subcontractors were hired for the construction of the facility. That’s money spent on 120 Fort Wayne salaries, and with local companies for supplies and equipment rental.

Visit www.youtube.com/user/fwpublicinformation later today for an explanation from plant superintendent Cheryl Cronin about how the primary clarifiers work and some video showing a tank.

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