Russellville breaks ground for new wastewater treatment plant

Russellville city officials break ground on what will be the site of the city's new wastewater treatment plant. It will be built next to the city's lagoon on Hatler Street.
Russellville city officials break ground on what will be the site of the city's new wastewater treatment plant. It will be built next to the city's lagoon on Hatler Street.

After years of planning, a ceremony Monday morning marked the start of what city leaders in Russellville believe is one of the most important projects ever to take place in the community.

Mayor Sharon Morgan and the town's Board of Aldermen broke ground Monday at what will be the city's new wastewater treatment plant at the lagoon site on Hatler Street.

The Russellville Community Pool and Cole R-1 School District have donated easement to help with the project.

"This started as a response to a very serious regulatory compliance order, and now we know this will lead to a brighter future for the city," City Clerk Jan Wyatt said.

In August, the board approved St. Louis contractor KCI Construction Company to begin work on the project.

The new plant is being be built next to the city's current three-cell lagoon, which does not treat ammonia up to Missouri Department of Natural Resources standards. Among the problems with the current lagoon system is the excess amount of ammonia being discharged from the system into a tributary of Roark Branch.

KCI was the lowest of seven bidders on the project at $2.199 million. Engineers had estimated construction would cost the city $2,551,106.50.

In 2014, Russellville residents approved a $2.4 million bond issue for the treatment plant. The city has also acquired a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development low-interest direct loan for $1.35 million, a USDARD $830,000 grant and a Community Development Block Grant for $500,000.

The total project costs are $2,946,200. The project completion date, which includes finalizing lagoon closure, laying grass and site restoration, is set for Oct. 14, 2020.

The city must complete construction by July 17, 2021, because of an abatement order with DNR.

There should be no pause in service for the more than 280 residential customers, according to city officials.

"The city's commitment to the project has been unwavering, even in the face of challenges presented along the way," Wyatt said. "We thank our citizens for their support of this project."