SOUTHINGTON, CT — The Town of Southington hosted a dedication ceremony for their recently upgraded Water Pollution Control Facility (WPFC). The upgrades were needed after the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) determined that excessive amounts of phosphorous negatively affect water quality in the state’s rivers. If Southington did not meet these phosphorous limits, they would lose significant Clean Water Grant Funding, a 2 percent interest loan, and be subject to fines.

With the new stringent requirements set to be enforced by 2022, the Town and Tighe & Bond took immediate action. Tighe & Bond completed a facility planning study to evaluate the condition and capacity of the WPCF and collection system. The goal was to develop a phased plan for addressing the town’s wastewater infrastructure needs over the next 20 years. Following the review and approval of the wastewater facilities plan, the team designed the recommended plant upgrade improvements, including:

• Construct building to house CoMag ballasted flocculation phosphorus removal process
• Upgrade aeration system to reduce harmful pollutants and improve efficiency
• Upgrade UV disinfection equipment to provide reliable, cost-effective treatment
• Upgrade sludge storage tanks with new covers and a mixing system
• Cover process tanks responsible for most off-site odors and install odor control equipment
• Replace aged electrical equipment for improved efficiency, safety, and reliability
• Install process monitoring and control systems to maximize the plant’s efficiency

This $50-million project has enabled Southington’s WPCF to comply with CT DEEP’s requirements to reduce phosphorous and protect the water quality within the Quinnipiac River watershed.