News
New Wastewater Treatment Plant Construction Underway in Nelsonville
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
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NELSONVILLE, Ohio (WOUB) — The city of Nelsonville received help for a project to improve its water system.
The Appalachian Regional Commission has awarded a $250,000 grant to the city of Nelsonville for a new wastewater treatment plant. This brings the total funding to more than $16.5 million for a project that will operate as a regional provider for water customers in Athens and Hocking counties.
The new plant is being constructed southeast of the city, along Elm Rock Road.
The city broke ground on this project in the spring. The new wastewater treatment plant will be larger and have more modern and environmentally friendly ways of getting rid of waste, according to City Manager Scott Frank.
The existing plant, which was dedicated in 1955, is operating at capacity.
“We have lots of safeguards put in place just to keep it running, so it is definitely on its last leg,” Frank said. “So, this is a much needed improvement, and then the capacity of the new one will be significantly higher for growth in the future.”
The new wastewater treatment plant will treat sewage from more areas of Athens and Hocking counties, including Murray City, Carbon Hill, and Buchtel.
Frank said Phase 1 is expected to be completed this year. Phase 2 will take 18-20 months to complete, according to a project description.
“As we speak, they are putting in additional trunk line from the old sewer plant into the city,” Frank explained. “So what will happen by the end of this phase, which we anticipate by the end of this year, the new trunk line will be tied in and it’ll run to the new pump station which will eventually pump to the new sewer plant. However, the new pump station will be pumping directly to the old sewer plant until the completion of the project.”
The project is funded in part by other grants, including from the EPA and USDA.