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[Archived] Draft Of Fayetteville Sewage Plant Permit Received

| Environment | January 10, 2015

Westside Facility Planned for 2008 Completion

By Dan Craft
The NW Arkansas Morning News


6/1/05


FAYETTEVILLE -- The final draft of a permit for Fayetteville's proposed westside sewage treatment plant has been received, city officials said Tuesday.


The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit is required for all wastewater treatment facilities. The draft arrived late last week, said Bob Davis, Fayetteville's water and wastewater director.


"This is the final draft, which means the permit is on the way," Davis said.


Issuing the final permit is still 90 days away because of review periods for the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality and the federal Environmental Protection Agency and a required public notification period, Davis said.


Once the permit is approved, the biggest remaining hurdle is acquiring the easements for several water lines that will run to the plant, Davis said.


"The design package is put together. The right of way is the major hurdle we're facing now," he said.


The treatment plant is to accommodate growth in Fayetteville by relieving the current Noland treatment plant, which is nearing its capacity. The Noland plant is in southeast Fayetteville, while the new plant is on the city's western boundary.


The plant is part of the city's overall Wastewater Services Improvement Project. In addition to the west plant and new lines, the project includes upgrades to existing lines and pumps and to the Noland plant. Consultants have estimated the project cost at about $140 million.


The city's Water and Wastewater Committee also approved a $4.7 million contract with McGoodwin, Williams and Yates to provide inspection, engineering and consulting services during construction of the plant.


Nine contractors have prequalified to bid on the project. Bidding will take place in phases, with the first bids expected back in July and the final round next February.


The westside plant is set to be finished in March 2008.


In a related item, the committee also approved a $300,000 allocation from the project fund to reimburse Ozarks Electric Cooperative for the cost of relocating overhead electric lines on the property.


The city may offset part of the cost by selling 5 acres in a corner of the site to the cooperative for placement of an electrical substation, said Alderman Kyle Cook, the committee chairman.


The cooperative has offered $125,000 for the 5 acres, Cook said.