Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District proposes wastewater management plan

A plan to manage wastewater in Madison, Wisconsin, through 2040 will advance to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources following a hearing and public comment period organized by Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District and concurrence by the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission. 

The district’s proposed liquid processing facilities plan focuses on future needs of the district and opportunities related to the Nine Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant liquid treatment processes. The district says its facilities plan addresses the need for increased capacity, resiliency and flexibility to manage peak flows.

“Wastewater utilities must plan for success many years in advance to accommodate community development and minimize the impact of large capital projects on ratepayers,” Michael Mucha, the district’s chief engineer and director, says. “The proposed liquid processing facilities plan integrates economic, environmental and quality of life considerations in a way that minimizes total resource expenditures over the project period.”

Work on the plan was initiated in 2015 to evaluate peak flow management, wastewater screening and grit removal systems, equipment and processes for biological nutrient removal and ultraviolet light disinfection equipment. It has been more than 20 years since the district completed a facilities plan for its liquid processing system and the district says much of the existing system is nearing the end of its useful life. 

The plan evaluated future loading conditions based on regional growth and changing precipitation patterns, conducted condition assessments for structures, equipment and controls, analyzed systems for energy efficiency and reliability and more.

The plan itself does not directly authorize expenditures. Instead, it provides a recommended schedule for project phasing based on urgency and logistics. Full implementation of the plan through 2040 would cost $57.1 million in 2017 dollars.

Following a review of the plan by the Department of Natural Resources, district staff will return to the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District Commission and request acceptance. District staff will then begin planning for phased implementation. The complete plan can be read at www.madsewer.org/Planning/Liquid-Processing-Facillities-Plan.