City of Oneida Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements

What was the challenge?

The City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant was aged and deteriorating. The plant was also subject to stringent ammonia and phosphorous limits and was accepting substantial organic loading from the booming local dairy industry. High loadings in excess of the existing treatment plant capacity, combined with aged equipment, caused the plant to exceed its State Pollution Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit limits for discharge to Oneida Creek.

How did Barton & Loguidice provide a solution?

Barton & Loguidice partnered with Energy Systems Group to deliver under Article 9 performance contracting, allowing the City to proceed at an aggressive pace to meet their consent order requirements. A preliminary engineering report was completed to evaluate the following alternatives: implementation of a contact adsorption, settling, thickening (CAST) pre-treatment system, expanded plug flow aeration, and high strength organic waste (HSOW) acceptance. Ultimately, the CAST system was chosen. The B&L team also provided training on how to run the new equipment and processes.

Why was the project a success?

The plant is now ready for the growth of the local dairy industry and other new developers. Utilizing a design-build approach, the project was completed within budget and on time throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The new pretreatment system, aeration, and secondary clarifiers have dramatically improved effluent quality to Oneida Creek. Improved digesters have decreased the quantity of biosolids, and liquid waste destined for landfill disposal while mitigating fugitive methane emissions. Biogas generation and energy efficiency improvements made throughout the facility have reduced the plant’s carbon footprint.