The City of Fernley has opened the review process to invite public comment and requests for consulting-party status for its proposed East Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion.
The city is pursuing federal and state funding for the project, including support through the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the city is required to identify and consult with interested parties, including historical organizations, preservation nonprofits, neighborhood associations and citizen groups, to determine whether construction could affect historic properties in or near the project area.
The East Wastewater Treatment Plant is located about four miles east of downtown Fernley between Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 50A. The facility treats wastewater collected throughout the city and discharges treated effluent into the Fernley Wildlife Management Area.
All proposed construction would take place within the plant’s existing site on an industrial parcel.
Planned improvements include construction of a mechanical treatment system, conversion to an on-site sodium hypochlorite generation system that uses salt instead of chlorine solution for water treatment, and development of infrastructure to allow the reuse of treated wastewater. The project would also deactivate the open wastewater ponds that have been in operation since 1988.
During an August 2025 City Council meeting, Christine Brandon, executive director of the Western Nevada Development District, said the proposed upgrades would allow the facility to serve a population of approximately 65,000 residents.
Brandon also said improving the quality of the treated effluent would allow the city to sell reclaimed water to industrial users rather than discharging it into the Fernley Wildlife Management Area.
At that meeting, the council voted unanimously to proceed with the design, planning and prioritization of the recommended Phase 1 improvements, which are projected to cost approximately $10.3 million. Phase 2 improvements, anticipated to be needed by 2031, are expected to cost about $17.1 million.
The review's Area of Potential Effect (APE) includes the 55-acre treatment plant site and several adjacent public parcels, including the Fernley Wildlife Management Area, which receives treated water from the facility.
Local groundwater resources, the TCID Canal and the Truckee River are also included within the review area.
The city is inviting historical societies, preservation nonprofits, neighborhood associations and interested individuals to participate in the review process.
Separately, the city initiated government-to-government consultations May 13 with seven regional Native American tribes, including the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and the Walker River Paiute Tribe.
Written comments and requests for consulting-party status must be submitted by June 27 to Grant Administrator Trisha L. Livingston at 595 Silver Lace Blvd., Fernley, NV 89408, or by email at [email protected].
Full project documents and engineering reports are available upon request.
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