Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation

New and lower effluent permit limits for phosphorous and nitrogen at the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant from the Environmental Protection Division require the city to review its current wastewater treatment processes and either move to a more chemically treated solution or upgrade to a biological solution.

While at this time, upgrading to a new biological treatment would sustain the plant for over 50 years, the upgrades would be significant capital costs. These proposed upgrades include replacement of existing bar screens, rehabilitation of existing grit systems, replacement of Secondary and Tertiary pumps, construction of a new biological process system, conversion of two anaerobic digester tanks to aerobic digesters, replacement of aeration units in all four digester tanks, retrofit of existing cascade structure, installation of additional chemical systems, installation of a plant-wide SCADA system, construction of a new on-site Operations/Control Building, and various improvements or modifications to other existing facility processes as needed to achieve the project's purpose in complying with the facility's permit Limits. Upgrades will also include any pumping, piping, subgrade foundation support, electrical modifications or upgrades, site work and miscellaneous upgrades related to the main scope of work. The chemical additions, however, also come at a significant expense but on the operational expense side. Therefore, the city will move forward with the most cost effective solution in order to meet the permit limits. By 12/01/2028, the city shall comply with the new effluent limitations of the permit.

Project Update

• Latest Update – January 2025 – The city is currently procuring engineering services in order to engineer an appropriate solution

Lift Station 3 Basin Area

Wastewater infrastructure maintenance is specifically targeted in this area after finding inflow and infiltration (I & I) with the clay pipes and needing to support growth in this area. This project will upgrade a force main to 16 inchs, upsize various 15 inch pipes to new 18 inch pipes, and replace various equipment at the lift station.

Project Update

• Latest Update – January 2025 –This project is still in the preliminary engineering phase with construction expected to start Summer of 2025.

Wastewater Outfall Line (Big Mary)

The City of Thomasville was awarded a grant for over $19.8 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which was in partnership with the Thomasville Community Development Corporation. Approximately $9 million is to be used by the City of Thomasville for replacement of aged infrastructure at the wastewater collection system. This project rehabilitates 26,312 feet of sewer trunk and outfall lines and the repair or replacement of 88 manholes.

Project Update

• Latest Update – January 2025 – Construction is expected to begin Fall of 2025.