Significant project would add an additional level of treatment at plant
Marlene Feist, Utilities Communications Manager, 509.625.6505
Monday, February 3, 2014 at 2:33 p.m.
The City of Spokane is seeking proposals from firms interested in completing design and construction management work for a project that would add an additional level of treatment at the City's Riverside Park Water Reclamation Facility.
The City has released a request for qualifications for this work, and responses are due by Monday, Feb. 24, at 1 p.m. Information is available on the Business and Development's Bid Information page.
The successful firm will work on the largest upgrade at the Water Reclamation Facility since the 1970s. The construction cost is estimated at $80 million to $100 million and is expected to begin in 2016.
The project will add what's commonly called the Next Level of Treatment, an additional filtration system that will increase the removal of phosphorus from the effluent to more than 99 percent, from 90 percent today. Phosphorus has been associated with low oxygen levels and algae blooms in Lake Spokane. The system also will remove greater amounts of PCBs and heavy metals.
The discharge permit for the plant requires the City to reduce the amount of phosphorus going into the river during a “critical” period from March through October.
The project at the plant is part of a major initiative to improve the health of the Spokane River. The City is developing an Integrated Clean Water Plan that will include work to improve treatment at the City's Riverside Park Water Reclamation Facility.
Projects to reduce untreated discharges to the river from both separated storm sewers and combined sanitary and stormwater sewers also are part of the effort. Overall, some 54 million gallons of combined wastewater and stormwater enters the river on average through 20 overflow discharge points from our combined sewer system annually. Another 1 billion gallons of untreated stormwater enters the river through separated storm drains, primarily located on the North Side.
By comparison, the City treats about 34 million gallons of wastewater every day at the Riverside Park Water Reclamation Facility. Improving the quality of the effluent reaching the river is an important component in delivering a cleaner river for the community.
