Nebraska Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades and Discharge Relocation

Challenge: A private client in central Nebraska received more stringent National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit limits for total nitrogen.

Solution: HR Green completed a study for the client that evaluated upgrades to their existing wastewater treatment plant to meet the more stringent limits and compared the costs of an upgraded plant to the cost to relocate the discharge location to a larger river several miles away. The client made the decision to relocate the discharge location to receive more favorable discharge limits.

The project involved design and construction of 24,400 feet of force main from the existing effluent pump station to the new discharge location. Effluent pumps and piping were replaced in the existing lift station to meet new discharge flow and head conditions.

The HR Green team was responsible for identifying the preferred route for the effluent force main, working with property owners to secure 11 separate easements, wetland delineation, design of the force main, permitting, bidding, and construction phase services. The new forcemain was installed using a combination of open trench and directional boring, and involved several road crossings, and one railroad crossing. HR Green also designed the headwall for the effluent discharge into the river.

Benefit: The project ensured compliance with stringent environmental regulations and offered a cost-effective solution by relocating the discharge location to a larger river. It also involved significant infrastructure upgrades, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the wastewater treatment system while minimizing environmental impact.