This is the final update planned for the summer of 2024 to provide Solon resi- dents with information about the new wastewater treatment facility that will be constructed in the coming years for the City of Solon. The timeline from planning to completion will span several years.
Recap
The decision to build a new treatment facility came after extensive evaluation by city engineers. The age of the cur- rent facility, limited space, f looding issues, and more restrictive limits on wastewa- ter discharges have steered the decision to for a new facility. In 2023, the city purchased a 21-acre site adjacent to Oakland Cemetery along Hwy 382 for the new facility.
The cost of the new facility is anticipated to be around $27.5 million with the actual facility cost still unknown until design is complete and the project is bid. The City is planning to finance the improvements using a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan and cash reserves. Completion of the facility is anticipated in June 2029.
New Treatment Process Description
A new sewer will be constructed from the existing treatment facility to the new facility site. At the new site, the first stage of treatment will be screening and grit removal to remove rags, wipes, sticks, and grit that are commonly found in wastewater. The larger sol- ids and grit will typically be properly disposed of at a local landfill.
After this first stage, the wastewater w ill continue on to secondary treatment for removal of nutrients and other contaminants. The City of Solon will use an activated sludge process consisting of multi-stage aeration basins which selectively promote microorganisms that remove contaminants. The wastewater then flows to clarifiers where the clear water is separated from the microorganisms using gravity settling. The clear water is then treated using ultraviolet disinfection to kill any organ- isms so that it is safe for human and animal contact before being discharged to the receiv- ing stream. The solids removed in the clarifiers require further stabilization and ultimately can be land applied on agricultural fields.
Advantages of the New Treatment Facility
The City’s new facility includes additional treatment steps and incorporate new tech- nology to improve the quality of the water and increase safety. The City’s existing facility does not have any screening or grit removal which leads to increased equipment wear and requires more staff time to remove clogs and debris. The new aeration basins are designed to provide better treat- ment including nitrogen and phosphorus removal as required by new discharge permit limits. Finally, utilization of ultravio- let disinfection instead of the City’s current chlorination and dechlorination will mean fewer chemicals and safer operations for staff.