Upgrades celebrated at SHAWSA Wastewater Treatment Plant

Casco Township Supervisor and SHAWSA chair Allan Overhiser provides comments (photo credit: Tom Renner)

Casco Township Supervisor Allan Overhiser, who also chairs the South Haven Area Water Sewer Authority (SHAWSA), recently presided at a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the Wastewater Treatment Plant on Tuesday July 29. The upgrades to the treatment plant are a positive for residents served by the water/sewer authority, including Casco Township residents in the water/sewer district that primarily stretches west of Blue Star Highway, from Baseline Rd northward to 107th Ave.

"This upgrade gives our staff opportunity to serve users and taxpayers in a more economical way," Overhiser said. "I also want to commend staff that kept the old infrastructure in compliance, and in good shape, living with and working with what we had while contributing to new improvements."

Improvements to the plant include upgrades to the aeration system, clarifier flow split structure, digester boiler replacement, and the installation of a new ultraviolet disinfection system, which replaced the previous chlorine gas and sodium bisulfate feed systems.

The project was funded in part by a $5.8M loan awarded from the Michigan Clean Water State Revolving Fund and a $3.6M grant from the same entity.

Fleis & VandenBrink Engineering provided design expertise and F&V Construction completed the construction.

Jeremy Hiatt, Superintendent of the SHAWSA Wastewater Treatment Plant, said the project adds to environmental stewardship. "By rehabilitating critical infrastructure, we've extended the life of our facility, improved energy efficiency, and reduced our reliance on chemicals for treatment. These improvements will help lower operating costs and enhance overall plant performance."

The wastewater treatment plant is located at 625 Dunkley Avenue.