Portage Water Reclamation Facility

The WRF serves 34,500 residents, plus a significant commercial and industrial base, and produces a high-quality effluent that consistently exceeds its permit limits. The facility was expanded in 1998 to manage wet weather flows in meet the new Section 504 sludge management requirements of USEPA. The city is experiencing accelerated residential growth, and an economic rebound has resulted in increasing industrial and commercial loadings. American Structurepoint evaluated the WRF to ensure its capacity to treat these incremental flows while accommodating more stringent environmental standards related to the Indiana Great Lakes Antidegradation Policy and future total maximum contaminant daily loads. The study evaluated the current operating regime for opportunities of savings in energy consumption and operation and maintenance, analyzed the capacity of each phase of its treatment processes, and identified process criteria for planning future WRF investments. The study resulted in a 20-year capital improvements program tabulating the plateaus in waste loading that will trigger the need for new investments. The study also identified early action improvements that will provide significant economies in facility operations, improve WRF's reliability, and provide for incremental load capacity. Funding and implementation of the 20-year CIP will ensure the WRF remains an asset in implementing the City's economic development program.