Large sewer capital improvement projects (CIPs) currently underway in the wastewater treatment plants.
CIP# 650353-100007
This project will relocate the plant 108” bypass, construct 2, three (3) million gallon digesters, replace the floating digester covers (D01-D05, D07) with fixed, concrete covers, construct a cogeneration facility, and construct a fats, oils, and grease (FOG) and food waste receiving station at the Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant (SWWTP).
We are constructing these facilities to provide additional digestion capacity to the plant to help with solids treatment. The digester covers and cogeneration facility is being constructed to capture all the methane produced in the digesters in order to produce electricity and heat and reduce the greenhouse gas impacts within the facility. The FOG and food waste receiving station is being constructed to provide additional high strength waste to the digester complex in order to produce additional methane.
Construction is expected to begin in fall of 2024 and is anticipated to be completed by fall of 2031. Financing for this project is being provided through a below market-rate loan through the OEPA’s Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Program. The Ohio EPA has completed a Limited Environmental Review (LER) for this project. View the LER(PDF, 461KB) and the letter of "Notice of Issuance of a Limited Environmental Review and Finding of No Significant Impact.”
Specific questions concerning this project should be directed to the City’s Project Manager, Tyler Schweinfurth, 614-645-7758 or gtschweinfurth@columbus.gov.
Summary: This project will construct a flow diversion structure within the wastewater treatment plant's main drain and an alternative pipe to redirect flows during large wet weather events. Construction is currently scheduled to begin in late 2024 and will be completed in 2026.
CIP 650352-100007
Wastewater plants have a Main Drain that captures all residual wastewater and directs it back to the head of the plant for further processing. Internal building drains, the contents of tanks being emptied, and wastewater that is skimmed from the surface of various solids removal processes are examples of flows that are directed to the Main Drain.
When large wet weather events occur, gates at the head of the plant must control flow into the plant. At SWWTP, those gates (located in the Influent Junction Chamber (IJC)) also protected the Main Drain from inundation and protected the plant's buildings, structures, and processes from Main Drain backflows. Those gates deteriorated and could no longer control flow into the plant or prevent Main Drain inundation; so, those gates were removed as part of Sanitary Sewer Engineering Section's (SSES) CIP 650860-116300 (Second Barrel Interconnector Augmentation). In order to prevent inundation of the Main Drain system and back-ups into plant processes, structures, and buildings, this project will construct a flow diversion structure within the plant's Main Drain and an alternative pipe so that Main Drain flows can be redirected to the Raw Sewage Pump Building during large wet weather high flow events. This project will also install modulating actuators on the bar rack gates within the Raw Sewage Pump Building (RSP) so that plant's influent flows can be controlled.
Construction is currently scheduled to begin in late 2024 and will be completed in 2026.
Financing for this contract is being provided through a below market-rate loan through the OEPA’s Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Program.
The Ohio EPA will be conducting a Limited Environmental Review (LER) for this project. LER and the letter of "Notice of Issuance of a Final Finding of No Significant Impact to All Interested Citizens, Organizations and Government Agencies" will be accessible via this website.
For questions specific to this project, please contact Project Manager, Troy K. Branson, PE at 614-645-7423 or tkbranson@columbus.gov.
Summary: This project will replace the outdated HVAC system. There will be no interruptions of service or direct impact to the public as a result of the construction of this project, which is expected to begin in mid-2024 and completed by the end of 2025.
CIP 650372-100000
The Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant (SWWTP) serves Columbus and the surrounding area. The plant contains large amounts of machinery and equipment in many separate buildings. Wastewater produces hydrogen sulfide gas which corrodes metals, especially the copper in electrical equipment. The large HVAC/air purification system removes hydrogen sulfide from the air and protects equipment installed in the East Aeration Control Building (EAC).
The current HVAC system was installed more than 30 years ago in 1987 and has reached the end of its useful life. This project will replace the outdated system.
There will be no interruptions of service or direct impact to the public as a result of the construction of this project.
Work is expected to begin in mid-2024 and be complete by the end of 2025.
Financing for this contract is being provided through a below market-rate loan through the OEPA’s Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Program.
The Ohio EPA has completed a Limited Environmental Review (LER) for this project. View the LER(PDF, 768KB) and the letter of "Notice of Issuance of a Limited Environmental Review and Finding of No Significant Impact."
For questions specific to this project please contact Project Manager, Jay Subedi, P.E. at 614-645-7414 or email JPSubedi@columbus.gov.
Summary: This project is expected to begin in the summer of 2024 and extend through the winter of 2026. It will remove abandoned sludge concentration tanks and convert the area to greenspace.
CIP# 650260-102018
The Sludge Concentration Tanks (SCT) at Jackson Pike Wastewater Treatment (JPWWTP) plant have been abandoned. The Sludge Concentration Building (SCC) that houses the tanks is beginning to deteriorate. Pieces of the façade have begun to fall off and the building structure is no longer safe.
This project includes demolition the SCC section and the abandoned sludge concentration tanks. The site will then be converted to greenspace. It includes the removal of abandoned pipes and conduits and re-routing of in-service pipes and conduits. The remaining portion of the SCC building will be rehabilitated with new roof, windows and door replacement along with new electrical and lighting fixtures.
This construction of this project is estimated to begin in the summer of 2024 and extend through the winter of 2026.
Financing for this project is being provided through a below market-rate loan from the OEPA’s Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Program.
The Ohio EPA will be conducting a Limited Environmental Review (LER) for this project. LER and the letter of "Notice of Issuance of a Final Finding of No Significant Impact to All Interested Citizens, Organizations and Government Agencies" will be accessible via this website.
Questions regarding this project can be directed to the City’s project manager: Jay Subedi at 614-645-7414 or by e-mail at: jpsubedi@columbus.gov.
Project area outlined in red below:
Summary: Construction on this project is to begin in 2024 and extend through fall of 2025. It will focus on architectural, structural, electrical, and aesthetic improvements to a building in a state of disrepair due to long-term sewer gas exposure.
CIP 650260-103014
The old Raw Sewage Pump Building (PMP) is in a state of disrepair due to long-term sewer gas exposure, leading to a failing brick façade, rusted lintels, and compromised doors and windows. These issues have not only weakened the building's structure but also allowed birds to infiltrate and nest, causing health hazards from accumulated animal waste.
The Raw Sewage Pump Building Rehabilitation project will focus on architectural, structural, electrical, and aesthetic improvements. It will involve replacing the deteriorated brick façade, installing new storefront windows and doors, and conducting electrical upgrades to improve the building's lighting. The project also includes a thorough cleaning to remove any animal waste and nesting, ensuring the building is safe and sanitary for its conversion into a functional office space for plant staff.
This construction of this project is estimated to begin in the winter of 2024 and extend through the fall of 2025.
Financing for this project is being provided through a below market-rate loan from the OEPA’s Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Program.
The Ohio EPA has completed a Limited Environmental Review (LER) for this project. View the LER(PDF, 625KB) and the letter of "Notice of Issuance of a Final Finding of No Significant Impact to All Interested Citizens, Organizations and Government Agencies."
Questions about this project can be directed to the project manager Nagen Sapkota: 614-645-7414 or by email to nasapkota@columbus.gov.
Summary: This project will provide new technology for the sewer Surveillance Laboratory at Fairwood Avenue. It will allow the analyzation of wastewater samples for emerging contaminants, such as PFAS; thus protecting the receiving waters, the community, and environmental compliance. The project is expected to be completed in the 4th quarter of 2023.
CIP# 650898-100000
This project will provide funds for the purchase of a Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) unit for the sewer system Surveillance Laboratory located at 1250 Fairwood Avenue. This equipment will allow the lab to analyze wastewater samples for emerging contaminants, such as PFAS and azole compounds.
The Surveillance Lab currently does not a have a way to analyze wastewater samples for these emerging contaminants that could negatively impact the treatment process at both the Southerly and Jackson Pike WWTPs. Protecting our WWTPs prevents negative impacts to receiving waters and the community at large, in addition to supporting environmental compliance for the Division of Sewerage and Drainage.
The LC-MS/MS is expected to be installed in the Surveillance Lab in the 4th quarter of 2023.
The financing of the LC-MS/MS is being provided by a principal forgiveness loan through OEPA’s Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Program.
The Ohio EPA has completed a Limited Environmental Review (LER) for this project. View the LER and the letter(PDF, 623KB) of "Notice of Issuance of a Limited Environmental Review and Finding of No Significant Impact.”
Summary: This projects supports continued growth in central Ohio and protects the health of the Scioto River watershed. Preliminary design is planned for the beginning of 2024, with detailed design and construction to follow. The project includes new circular primary clarifiers, aeration basins, high efficiency blowers, expanded influent and effluent conduits, tunnel system expansion, associated buildings and support systems expansions. The project will create several new full time positions to support the long-term operation of the plant expansion.
Accelerated growth in the Central Ohio region and the additional sewershed added under the OEPA 208 Facilities Planning Area expansion in the New Albany area has prompted the City to evaluate impacts to Southerly Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Treatment modeling efforts indicated that the treatment plant's organic loading rate basis of design will be exceeded in 2031, ten years earlier than anticipated. This project will expand the secondary treatment capacity of Southerly WWTP to treat the projected organic loading rate through the 2050 planning horizon, support continued growth in the central Ohio region, and protect and promote the overall health of the Scioto River watershed.
Preliminary design is planned for the beginning of 2024 with detailed design and construction to follow in 2025 and 2027 respectively. The project will include two new additional circular primary clarifiers, 6 new aeration basins, four new high efficiency blowers, expanded influent and effluent conduits, tunnel system expansion, three new associated buildings, and associated support systems expansions. The project will create several new full time positions in the City of Columbus that will support the long term operation of the plant expansion.
Design alternatives to reduce financial impact are included in the preliminary design analysis and alternatives evaluation.
Summary: Construction is expected to begin in Fall of 2022 and run through Spring of 2024. It will replace the MCCs in both the ERC and FRC, the transformer and switch between the two buildings, and the harmonic filters in each building.
CIP# 650260-103012
The Motor Control Center (MCC) and transformers that feed the East Return Activated Sludge Control Building (ERC) and the Far East Return Activated Sludge Control Building (FRC) have exhausted their useful life and require replacement as they continually trip depending on the amount of equipment operating. This project will ultimately replace the MCCs in both the ERC and FRC, the transformer and switch between the two buildings, and the harmonic filters in each building.
Construction for this treatment engineering project is anticipated to begin in Fall of 2022 and run through Spring of 2024 at the Southerly Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Financing is being provided through a below market-rate loan through the OEPA’s Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA) OR Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Program.
Questions regarding this project should be directed to Jesse Volk, Project Manager at 614-645-0744 or email javolk@columbus.gov.
Summary: Four tanks that treat and disinfect all of the plant effluent of the Southerly Waste Water Treatment Plant are being replaced, rebuilt or upgraded due to UV exposure, age, and lack of replacement parts. Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2022 and last about two years.
CIP# 650354-100000
The disinfection process at the Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant (SWWTP) uses four (4) chlorine contact basins to disinfect the plant effluent and provide dissolved oxygen to the effluent through post aeration diffusers. The four tanks treat & disinfect all of the plant effluent that is produced & treated through the biological portion of the plant. The existing post aeration system includes four (4) grids of air diffusers (1 per tank) and 5 centrifugal blowers.
Due to UV exposure and age of the PVC pipe, several of the diffuser legs have broken. During repairs, Plant Maintenance staff noted that replacement parts were no longer available for the diffusers. This project will replace the existing diffuser grids with new ceramic disc diffusers and upgrade the diffuser legs with stainless steel piping to prevent future failures within the grid. As part of the upgrade, two (2) new rotary screw blowers (hybrid blowers) will replace two (2) of the centrifugal blowers that are reaching the end of their useful life. Two (2) of the other centrifugal blowers will be rebuilt to extend the useful life. Finally, the four (4) tank isolation butterfly gates will be replaced, as these are approaching the end of their useful lives.
Construction is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2022 and will last approximately two (2) years. The construction will be sequenced to maintain at least three disinfection tanks in service to maintain the treatment capacity of the plant.
Financing for this contract is being provided through a below market-rate loan through the OEPA’s Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Program.
For questions about this project please contact Tyler Schweinfurth at 614-645-7758 or via e-mail at: GTSchweinfurth@columbus.gov.
Summary: Construction is scheduled to begin in 2022 and will last approximately 18 months. Work will be completed so only 1 boiler is out of service at a time.
The Service Building (SEV) boiler train provides the heating for a majority of the buildings at the north end of the Southerly Waste Water Treatment plant. These boilers were upgraded in 2015 as part of project S81. Several issues were identified through troubleshooting forms once the project was closed out.
This project will fix the issues provided by rerouting the emergency blow-off piping, install a common tuning header on the discharge side of the boilers, re-pipe the Hartford loops including the chemical dosing piping, upgrade the blowdown system with conductivity sensors to allow for automatic blowdowns, and upgrade the chemical dosing system with sample coolers.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2022 and will last approximately 18 months. The construction will be sequenced so that the work is completed in the late spring, summer, early fall months or such that only 1 boiler is out of service at a time.
Financing for this project is being provided through a below market rate loan through the OEPA’s Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Program.
The Ohio EPA has completed a Limited Environmental Review (LER) for this project. View the LER(PDF, 679KB) and the letter of "Notice of Issuance of a Limited Environmental Review and Final Finding of No Significant Impact” to all interested citizens, organizations and government agencies."
For questions specific to the project, please contact the Project Manager, Tyler Schweinfurth, P.E. at 614-645-7758 or gtschweinfurth@columbus.gov.
Summary: Construction of this project is roughly estimated to begin in the fall of 2020 and extend through the fall of 2021. This project will replace the hydraulic system with individual actuator systems to allow for multiple cone valves to be on operation at the same time, giving the plant more flexibility when starting pumps. Project Area Map(PDF, 154KB)
CIP# 650260-102015
The five raw sewage pumps at the Jackson Pike Wastewater Treatment Plant (JPWWTP) each have a cone valve that aids the dedicated pump when starting. The current cone valve actuators are operated through a common hydraulic pump and oil header with enough pressure and capacity to operate one cone valve at time.
This project will replace this common hydraulic system with individual actuator systems to allow for multiple cone valves to be on operation at the same time. Several hundred gallons of hydraulic fluid will be removed from service through the installation of these cone valves. From an operations standpoint, the plant will have more flexibility when starting pumps.
This construction of this project is roughly estimated to begin in the fall of 2020 and extend through the fall of 2021.
Financing for this project is being provided through a below market-rate loan from the OEPA’s Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Program.
The Ohio EPA has completed a Limited Environmental Review (LER) for this project. View the LER(PDF, 804KB) and the letter of "Notice of Issuance of a Final Finding of No Significant Impact to All Interested Citizens, Organizations and Government Agencies."
Questions regarding this project can be directed to the City’s project manager: Tyler Schweinfurth at 614-645-7758 or by e-mail at: gtschweinfurth@columbus.gov.
Summary: This project will reduce emissions to the atmosphere, replace equipment that has reached the end of its useful life, and increase flexibility within DOSD’s biosolids beneficial use program, resulting in better control of odors emitted to the surrounding area. Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-2023.
This project will reduce emissions to the atmosphere, replace equipment that has reached the end of its useful life, and increase flexibility within DOSD’s biosolids beneficial use program. The compost facility receives biosolids from Columbus’ two wastewater treatment plants (Jackson Pike and Southerly) for processing. Material is processed in accordance with CFR Part 503 regulations using the negative aerated static pile technique to produce a Class A compost called Com-Til. Com-Til is used for agriculture, landscaping and top soil blending.
The existing equipment was installed in 2001 and has reached the end of its useful life. This project will replace the existing equipment with new as well as upgrade the technology and techniques used for composting. These improvements will result in better control of odors emitted to the surrounding area. In general the project consists of:
- 3 Compost Pads including blowers and aeration legs. Larger blowers and more efficient aeration headers will be constructed to capture more emissions from the compost pads and convey foul air to biofilters for treatment
- 12 Biofilters including blowers, headers and new foul air distribution piping. New manifolds will collect foul air from all compost pads and allow it to be distributed evenly to the biofilters for treatment. This common manifold system will replace the existing dedicated biofilters resulting in more even loading of foul air and therefore improved control of odors.
- New instrumentation, monitoring and control system. Additional instrumentation will allow for more frequent monitoring and improved control of the process. These improvements will also allow adjustments in air flow when necessart resulting in improved control of odors.
- Improved leachate management. Expansion of the existing lagoon, new collection piping, new hard piped drains and a new will improve capture of leachate.
- Site Layout. The new composting pads and biofilters will be moved farther away from residents that are downwind of the prevailing winds
- New electrical distribution equipment. This equipment will include redundant feeds to prevent down time due to maintenance and inspection.
Replacement of the equipment will; increase reliability, reduce odors, reduce maintenance costs, and increase systems life to beyond 20 years. Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-2023 and is anticipated to last 2.5 years. Construction is sequenced to maintain two composting pads in service to maximize treatment capacity during the project. Financing for this contract is being provided by a below-market rate loan obtained through the OEPA’s Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) and the debt is being serviced through City of Columbus sewer customer revenue.
The Ohio EPA has completed a Limited Environmental Review (LER) for this project. View the LER(PDF, 323KB) and the letter of "Notice of Issuance of a Limited Environmental Review and Finding of No Significant Impact.”
If you have any questions concerning this construction contract, please contact City Project Manager Holly Boyer, PE, in the Treatment Engineering Section of the Division of Sewerage and Drainage, at 614-645-2988 or HABoyer@columbus.gov.
Summary: This project will enable the wastewater treatment plant to digest all of the thickened primary sludge during peak flows. Construction is to begin in early 2022.
The digestion process at the Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant (SWWTP) currently consists of three acid phase digesters (APD) and six methane phase digesters. This digestion process treats all of the thickened primary sludge (TPS) and a percentage of the thickened waste activated sludge (TWAS) and produces a Class B sludge and digester biogas.
Due to the new Chemically Enhanced Primary Treatment (CEPT) train, being installed on the north end of the plant, the digestion plant will need to be expanded in in order to digest all of the TPS during peak flows. The Digestion Process Expansion projects will provide an additional mesophilic digester (Digester 7), new electrical building, and will retrofit the three acid phase digesters into additional pre-digestion storage and mixing tanks.
The rest of the digestion plant will be upgraded to operationally match the new Digester 7. The five of the existing digesters will have modifications including a standpipe for surface withdraw and recoating of the floating covers. Digester 6 will have the steel cover replaced with a concrete cover and will have a stand pipe installed as well.
Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2022 and will last approximately three years. The construction will be sequenced to maintain as many digesters in service as possible to maximize the beneficial reuse of biosolids.
Financing for this contract is being provided through a below market-rate loan through the OEPA’s Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Program.
The Ohio EPA has completed a Limited Environmental Review (LER) for this project. View the LER(PDF, 680KB) and the letter of "Notice of Issuance of a Limited Environmental Review and Final Finding of No Significant Impact” to all interested citizens, organizations and government agencies."
For questions specific to this project please contact Project Manager, Tyler Schweinfurth, P.E. at 614-645-7758 or gtschweinfurth@columbus.gov.