Sewer plant getting updates

By DREW STAMBAUGH

Enterprise News Editor

Updates are planned at the Village of Swanton Sewage Treatment Plant to bring it into compliance with an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandate.

"We need to improve our treatment process," said Swanton Village Administrator Jon Gochenour. "We have ammonia levels that exceed EPA requirements."

The sewer plant was built in 1959. The last improvement to the plant was in 1978.

"Lots of things are worn out and broken down," the administrator said. "The EPA keeps making discharge requirements stricter and stricter. [The plant] cant keep up."

The improvements include constructing an oxidation ditch. Sewage would be circulated back and forth to be treated, according to Gochenour.

The ditch would be located near the current treatment plant on South Street and would not require the purchase of any land. The ditch will be partially in the air and partially in the ground.

"It should be a lot more efficient then what we are doing now," said Gochenour. "It's been around for 30 years so we aren't reinventing the wheel."

Improvements would also be made to the current storm water retention lagoon. It originally held 300,000 gallons of water, but now holds 200,000 or less because of sediment buildup.

It would be dredged so the village does not have as many combined sewer overflows, according to Gochenour. Some areas of the village do not have separate storm and sanitary sewers, leading to an sewage overflow during heavy rains.

The entire project is estimated to cost $2.8 million. The village has already received $400,000 in assistance from the state. Swanton received a $275,000 grant and a $125,000 loan at zero percent for 30 years.

The village is looking to finance the remainder through the EPA, the administrator said. That would be done with either a 3.25 percent 20-year loan or a zero percent, 30-year loan.

The zero interest loan would come from the stimulus program if Swanton is approved for funding.

There were 1,200 applications and the village ranked near the cutoff range for funding at 275. If higher ranked projects drop out because they are not ready to begin, Swanton's may move up and qualify for funding.

Gochenour also said that the village is looking to work with the Ohio Turnpike on the project. Sewage from turnpike property represents 25 percent of the village's ammonia level, he added.

Village officials are hopeful that work can begin this summer on project. With the project taking about 18 months to complete, that would allow it to be finished before the EPA deadline.