Water Treatment Plant Improvements Project
City of Port Washington

Project Background and Description

In 1946 the City of Port Washington constructed its first water treatment plant (WTP) on the shores of Lake Michigan. This plant, referred to as Plant 1, was able to treat and supply the City with 2.0 million gallons of water per day (MGD) from the lake. In 1968, Plant 2 was constructed and an additional 2.0MGD of treatment capacity was added. The WTP is considered a traditional surface water treatment plant that uses physical and chemical processes to treat the water from the lake. To treat the water, the WTP first settles particles out in the sedimentation basins. The water leaving the sedimentation basins is then filtered. The finished water from the filters is stored in the clearwells where it is pumped into the distribution system.

WDNR Sanitary Survey

In 2018 the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) completed a sanitary survey of the WTP. The purpose of a sanitary survey is to evaluate the system’s source, facilities, equipment, operation, maintenance, and management as they relate to providing safe drinking water. The result of a sanitary survey is a list of deficiencies that the City is required to correct; in other words, a to-do list for the City. From this to-do list, two items remain:

• Install a generator to provide power to the WTP in the event of a power outage.
• The floor of the clearwell is required to be at least 2-feet above groundwater level. The clearwell floor is not 2-feet above the water table. The City is required to raise the floor of the clearwell to be at least 2-feet above groundwater level or provide additional treatment after the clearwell to meet WDNR standards.

The two deficiencies that remain are required, by WDNR, to be corrected by 2027. Failure to address them will result in enforcement actions by WDNR.

Needs Assessment

The DNR Sanitary Survey triggered the City to develop a Needs Assessment Project for the WTP. The Needs Assessment project would help identify other potential items that need to be upgraded in the WTP based on the age and operation of the WTP. In 2021, SEH completed a Needs Assessment of the WTP. The goal of the Needs Assessment was to evaluate the conditions the plant processes and equipment. The Needs Assessment found that the in general, the WTP has been historically well maintained but much of the treatment and pumping equipment was original to the 1946 and 1968 construction projects. Of primary concern were the WTP’s low lift, backwash, and high service pumps and the WTP’s electrical systems. This equipment, which typically has a service life of 20-30 years, has now been in operation for over 70 years in Plant 1 and over 50 years in Plant 2. This aged equipment has reached the end of its service life and its day-to-day operation has become a high level of concern of plant staff. To ensure the reliable operation of the WTP going into the future this equipment was recommended to be replaced.

Proposed Project

Goals

The goal of the WTP Improvements Project addresses three needs: 1) to address the deficiencies noted in the WDNR sanitary survey, 2) the need to replace equipment that has reached the end of its service life, and 3) replace and improve plant electrical equipment. The work proposed as part of this project not only ensures compliance with WDNR regulations but improves the reliability and redundancy of the WTP and its ability to produce high quality water for years to come.

Scope of Work

A preliminary engineering report was prepared to define the scope of the project and explore alternate options. This preliminary engineering report can be found in the Helpful Links and Downloads portion of this page. In general, the WTP Improvements Project consists of the following:

• Replacement of the Plant 1 & 2 mixers
• Reconstruction of the original Plant 2 filters
• Conversion of the existing clearwells to a pumping chamber to provide water for filter backwashes, the new Ultra Violet (UV) light disinfection system, and partially above ground clearwell.
• Construction of a new UV treatment system to meet WDNR disinfection requirements
• Construction of a new clearwell
• Replacement of plant pumping equipment
• Improving the chemical feed systems increase the operator safety
• Replacement the chlorine gas system with liquid sodium hypochlorite to improve safety
• Construct new high service pumping facilities
• Construct new generator room and install new generator
• Replacement of WTP electrical equipment
• Replacement of WTP security systems
• Replacement of WTP architectural components such as aged doors and windows
• Replacement and improvements to the WTP mechanical/HVAC systems

Project Cost, Rate Impacts, and Funding

Project Costs

Project cost estimates developed as part of the preliminary engineering report estimate the construction cost to be $16,290,100 and the total project cost to be $18,345,000.

Rate Impacts

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is responsible for the regulation of public utilities in the State of Wisconsin. The PSC works to ensure that, in the absence of competition, adequate and reasonably priced service is provided to utility customers. To achieve this goal, the PSC works with utilities to review and approve construction projects and to set utility rates. In general, the PSC sets the rates to cover the Utilities cost of providing services to its customers. You can learn more about the role of the PSC in approving construction projects and rate setting on their website. A link is provided in the Helpful Links and Downloads portion of this webpage.

The project design team is proposing the following following rate increase to help meet PSC revenue guidelines. The final rate increase will be determined by the PSC.

Funding

The City is actively pursuing opportunities to fund this project. The City has secured one grant and is in the process of applying for a low interest loan through the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program (SDWLP)

Economic Development Agency Grant
In 2020, the City was awarded grant from the United States Economic Development Agency for $813,260.00 to purchase and install generators at both the water and wastewater plants. This grant is helping to reduce impacts of this project on water rates.

Safe Drinking Water Loan Program
SDWLP is administered by WDNR and provides financial assistance to municipalities for publicly owned drinking water infrastructure projects that are needed to protect public health and achieve or maintain compliance with regulations. SDWLP offer fixed interest rates on long term loans to help municipalities pay for these projects. SDWLP interest rates are 55% of market value which helps reduce P&I payments and keep the overall project costs lower. The City has begun the application process for loans beginning in 2023.

Helpful Links

• City of Port Washington Water Utility
• PSC Home Page
• Overview of Wisconsin’s Public Utility Regulatory System

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Project Files

• 2018 WDNR Sanitary Survey (1Mb PDF)
• Port WTP Improvements Preliminary Engineering Report (4Mb PDF)