Faced with the need for tens of millions of dollars of upgrades to its wastewater and water treatment plants to accommodate future growth, the city of Fernley recently hosted representatives of the U.S. Economic Development Administration for a tour of the facilities.
The visit was organized by the Western Nevada Development District, which presented the results of an analysis of the city’s sewer treatment facilities at the Aug. 20 City Council meeting.
At that meeting, WNDD Executive Director Christine Brandon outlined the upgrades and improvements needed to meet Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) requirements to reduce nitrogen levels.
The city’s wastewater treatment plan treats about 1.5 million gallons of sewage a day and is capable of treating 3 million gallons a day, although Brandon said it can’t manage that much because of sand and nitrate issues.
The upgrades and improvements needed, which are planned in two phases, would support a city population of about 65,000 residents when completed, but would cost between $22,7 million and $38.3 million.
In addition, upgrades to the water treatment plant to accommodate future growth and the introduction of surface water from the Truckee Canal are estimated to be about $27 million.
At that Aug. 20 meeting, Brandon said her organization would look to the Economic Development Administration to help with funding for the wastewater treatment plant upgrades. She said federal assistance may be available through the Environmental Protection Agency because it’s the EPA’s regulations and mandates that require compliance with federal drinking water standards.
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