Batavia sewage plant in state's sights

Batavia's sewage treatment plant is getting near enough to capacity that the state is planning to restrict how many more users can be added to the system.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency informed the city Nov. 24 that it is “tentatively” placing the plant on “critical review” status, because it is processing an average of 88 percent of the maximum flow amount for which it is designed. The plant is designed to handle 4.2 million gallons of flow per day. It is processing 91 percent of its designated organic load and 137 percent of its solids load, according to the IEPA. Organic typically refers to waste produced by animals or humans. Solids load refers to other waste that floats or is suspended in liquid.

The news is not unexpected. A Wastewater Master Plan adopted in September 2009 estimated that the plant will eventually have to handle 4.9 million gallons a day, and therefore need expansion. Changes in federal law regarding discharge levels of some nutrients could also prompt upgrades when Batavia applies for a new sewage treatment permit in 2012.

The state has three designations for sewage treatment plants: normal, critical review and restricted. Being placed on critical review means that the IEPA may still grant permits to add users to the system, but will want assurances that the city has begun planning improvements to accommodate greater flows. A plant labeled “restricted” has exceeded its capacity, and the IEPA generally won't issue permits for new developments until the plant is improved.

The capacity question has come up recently with the proposed annexation and development of nearly 500 acres of land owned by Mooseheart. About half of the proposed annexation would use the Batavia plant; the rest is in the Fox Valley Water Reclamation District, based out of Aurora.

The 2009 plan determined residents send about 80 gallons of wastewater a day to the plant, adding up to 2.015 million gallons.

The plant was last enlarged in 2001.