Lakehaven Utility District recently met in a special session to discuss their ongoing and future plans to upgrade the Lakota treatment plant.
The Lakota Treatment Plant was built 30 years ago and is starting to near capacity. It was built with expansion in mind.
The expected total cost of the project is just under $70 million. The cost of the first phase is expected to total just over $18 million. They will also spend about $12 million on upgrades on the Redondo treatment plant.
“We’re looking at more money than the Performing Arts and Events Center just in [the Lakota] plant in the next five years,” Lakehaven Commissioner Ron Nowicki told the Mirror. “We’ve already got it.”
The upgrades are paid for by the revenues from sewer and water sales that Lakehaven charges. They planned in advance for those fees to cover plant the plant upgrades.
Upgrades will increase the capacity and efficiency of the wastewater treatment facility and allow Lakehaven to stay within future regulations.
Phase one has already begun. Sludge pumps, digesters and the washer/compactor at the plant are currently undergoing improvements. The cost for these improvements is $7.5 million.
The rest of phase one is scheduled to take place over the next five years. Phase two, also known as their mid-term projects, will take place between 2020-2030. Phase three, known as their long-term projects, will take place after 2030.
“While they’re not out of compliance now, in a few years, if we keep putting more things into the sewers, we’re gonna outgrow it,” Nowicki said. “We’re looking to do this thing way ahead of time. We’re trying to stay five to 10 years ahead all the time.”
Some improvements may not be necessary depending on what the new regulations for the plant will be. If they are not necessary, Lakehaven could save nearly $3 million during phase two of the improvement plan.
The majority of the costs from the improvements will come during phase three. Those upgrades will have a total cost of just under $40 million.
Lakehaven will be conducting a rate study throughout the fall to determine future fees. Their current increase in sales will keep rates low for citizens, even with the improvements being made.
“Those fees are set to cover everything,” Nowicki said. “We’re some of the lowest in the state, which makes us some of the lowest in the nation. We’re keeping the rates down.”
