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Ribbon cut at Jefferson wastewater treatment plant update

Tours follow the ribbon cutting

A ribbon cutting was held at Jefferson’s upgraded wastewater treatment plant Sept. 12. The ribbon cutting was preceded by Java & Juice at Kelso Park, with several employees of  Bolton & Menk, the consulting engineer for the project, on hand. The general contractor for the project was Shank Constructors Inc of Brooklyn Park, MN.

Jefferson mayor Craig Berry cuts the ribbon while city staff and residents look on

The project took a total of five years, starting in 2020, as the aging plant was unable to comply with new permit standards for nutrient levels in treated water.

While advanced treatment processes were put into place, older equipment was repaired and upgraded. The project was phased so that wastewater treatment was not interrupted.

Pre-treatment where waste is screened. Solids, wipes, and (sometimes) money is removed.
Lift station – from here, the waste goes downhill
Aeration basin – amoeba and bacteria eat organic material
Clarifier – solids settle out and clear water rises to the top, into the outer ring. ‘Activated’ sludge is removed from the bottom. Most sludge is stored and spread on farm ground. Some is saved, like sourdough starter, to be used in the aeration basin.
After UV disinfection, clean water is ready for discharge into the river. The discharge is cleaner than the river.

Total cost of the project is $18.1 million. The city was able to utilize $600,000 from a Community Development Block Grant and $1 million in loan forgiveness funds from the state’s share of federal infrastructure funds. The remaining cost is being paid by Jefferson water customers, with sewer rate increases totaling 67.6 percent over five fiscal years, starting in 2022.

After the ribbon cutting, Bolton & Menk staff conducted small group tours.

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