ELDON — Changes in the Missouri state operating permit limits have caused Eldon to begin improvements on its wastewater system.
The current wastewater treatment plant, located at 901 N. Eastview Drive, has surpassed its original design flow.
The city received recommendations on a project from MECO Engineering out of Jefferson City. The current wastewater system was designed to handle one million gallons per day and is 35 years old.
A facility plan and executive summary were presented at the board meeting Tuesday night.
MECO Engineering said a new design can handle a daily 2 million gallons and peak flow of 8 million gallons per day. The company is recommending Orbal System, an oxidation ditch extended aeration system.
Of three investigated systems, senior engineer Byron Shaw said the company recommended the Orbal System because it is similar to what the city has now.
Stormwater flows exceeding the peak flows would be stored in stormwater basins, Shaw said in an email.
The wastewater treatment plant improvements will be located adjacent to the existing location. The estimated total cost is $17.19 million.
The city received a Small Community Engineering Assistance Program grant to pay for 80 percent of the summary from MECO. The city will pay the remaining 20 percent.
Board members accepted the study and voted to proceed with the project.
To pay for the system, the company recommended the city apply for grants from United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program and Missouri Department of Economic Development.
In a schedule of completion listed in the summary, the city would place a bond issue on the April 2020 ballot, receive grant funding in January 2021 and start construction in August 2022.