The City of Lincoln’s existing wastewater stabilization pond system has reached its capacity, is inadequate for future flows and loads, and is in need of upgrades or replacement. To address this, the City of Lincoln prepared a Wastewater Treatment Facilities Plan, Amended January 18, 2021, which evaluated four alternatives to address their wastewater treatment needs:

• Expansion of the stabilization pond system

• Regionalization with Bismarck, ND

• Aerated pond mechanical facility with continuous discharge

• BNR mechanical facility with continuous discharge

Flow data collected and population projections were used to size the four alternatives, and the alternatives were evaluated based on cost, City input, public comments, and site requirements.

The City of Lincoln selected regionalization with the Bismarck WWTP. The Bismarck WWTP is located approximately 4.7 miles west of the Lincoln wastewater pond system. The Bismarck facility was recently upgraded in 2009 and constructing additional upgrades to increase the BOD capacity. The Bismarck WWTP will be available for City of Lincoln flows starting in 2022.

The proposed project includes a new lift station at the Lincoln wastewater stabilization pond system and forcemain to convey wastewater to the City of Bismarck’s collection system, conversion cell 2 to an equalization basin, and decommissioning of cells 1, 3 and 4.

The project design is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2022. Solicitation of construction bids is scheduled for winter of 2022/2023, and construction start is scheduled for spring of 2023.