This update is the first of three updates planned for the summer of 2024 to provide Solon residents with information about the new wastewater treatment facility that will be constructed in the coming years for the City of Solon. The timeline, from early discussions that improvements are needed, to the completion of a newly constructed plant, will span several years. This wastewater treatment facility update series will help residents better understand the research, planning, costs, and overall project timeline.
Remodel vs. Construction
Aging infrastructure is a reality for most cities and replacing water, sewer, and street-related infrastructure is a regular narrative for most cities. The cost of major infrastructure projects is on the rise, so careful consideration is needed to evaluate the best approach for needed improvements.
The decision to build a new treatment facility vs. a remodel or upgrade to the existing treatment facility has been a topic that has spanned several city council discussions in the past decade. City engineers have spent significant time evaluating our current treatment facility and overall sewer system, ultimately leading to a recommendation that a new facility in a new location is the better option for Solon.
Factors leading to this recommendation include the age of the current facility which has undergone major upgrades in the 1980’s and early 2000’s. Simply, the mechanisms of the plant have aged beyond the ability to upgrade to today’s standards. Space is also limited in the current location (behind Randall Park) and doesn’t provide the ability to grow as our city grows over time. The current facility has been threatened by flooding numerous times when Mill Creek rises, shutting off the access road to the facility.
In addition to the age, limited space, and flooding threats related to the current facility location, the limits on wastewater discharges have become more restrictive throughout the state. Many Iowa cities find themselves in a similar situation as Solon. The processes necessary to meet the discharge limits require different treatment methods than were previously used and often lead to entirely new facilities being constructed.
Location of the Wastewater Treatment Facility
Following the evaluation of the current treatment facility and learning that a new facility in a new location was the right plan for Solon, the Solon City Council then tasked city engineers to identify possible locations for a new facility. Topographical information, gravity flow and distance from the current facility were important factors to determine the new location. In 2023, the city purchased approximately 21 acres of hay field adjacent to Oakland Cemetery along Hwy 382.
Securing the land for the new facility was necessary and important to the planning and design process. IDNR provides significant input on the plant design needed to process waste in manner to meet their requirements.
Cost of a New Wastewater Treatment Facility
While the actual cost of the new sewer facility will not be known until the IDNR has reviewed the design and construction bids are received, city engineers have indicated that the city can expect an amount around $27.5 million for budgeting and planning purposes. City officials have been planning and fiscally positioning for the new treatment facility for some time to ensure the best financial scenario possible for financing the new facility.
What can Solon residents expect next?
Part 2 of this series in July will look more closely at the long-term financial planning, city budgeting, and potential impacts for residents related to the new sewer facility.
Project Timeline
The timeline below provides a snapshot of the project timeline for the new wastewater treatment facility with completion expected in June 2029.
ACTIVITY DATE
City Initiates Facility Planning Process January 2023
Planning & Design Loan Application Submitted December 2023
Treatment Options Presented to Council August 2024
Selection of Preferred Treatment Process September 2024
Anti-Degradation Analysis to Iowa DNR
(Public Comment Period) October 2024
Receive Approval of Antidegradation Analysis November 2024
Submit Facility Plan to Iowa DNR with
State Revolving Fund Loan Application December 2024
Design of New Wastewater Facility Improvements February 2025 – November 2026
Receive Bids for Wastewater Facility Improvements December 2026
Construction of Wastewater Facility Improvements January 2027 – June 2029
Complete Wastewater Facility Improvements June 2029