Aberdeen Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades

Cleaner Water for Hazard Creek

Project Highlights

• 0.3 mg/L phosphorus will be achieved
• Cleaner discharge to Hazard Creek
• IFAS + tertiary filtration upgrades
• Screw press for sludge dewatering
• Office and lab space

The Challenge

The City of Aberdeen’s existing wastewater treatment plant needed upgrades to meet a new phosphorus limit of 0.3 mg/L before discharging treated water to Hazard Creek. Aging equipment and maintenance challenges also caused inconsistent treatment performance, especially during the winter. The City needed a long-term solution that would improve operations and maintain compliance with permit requirements.

The Solution

Keller completed a new facilities plan and provided design and construction services through a two-phase approach. Phase 1 focused on upgrading the wastewater treatment plant. Improvements included a new headworks screen, a floating media Integrated Fixed-Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) system, a tertiary sand filter system, improved sludge dewatering equipment, and a new control building with office and lab space for plant operators. These upgrades improved treatment performance, reduced maintenance needs, and increased operational efficiency.

Phase 2 focused on developing and implementing a pretreatment program for industrial and commercial users. With three potato fresh-pack plants in the community that can affect wastewater quality, the program established a formal process for the City and local industries to work together and protect treatment operations.

The Results

Construction of the upgrades is nearing completion. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to help the City meet its phosphorus permit requirements, improve treatment reliability throughout the year, reduce seasonal operational challenges, and protect water quality in Hazard Creek.