The Coolidge City Council voted unanimously to start the process of planning an expansion of the City’s wastewater treatment plant in its April 13 meeting.
The vote followed a presentation by Public Works Director Benjamin Navarro, who explained Coolidge’s ongoing growth will make the project necessary in the coming years.
The current wastewater treatment plant has a total capacity of two million gallons/day and is generally running at about 55% capacity. When use reaches 90% capacity, or 1.8MGD, a so-called “trigger point” will be reached.
Navarro said it is necessary to begin planning now to start construction of a new plant by 2029 to meet expected growth before hitting the trigger point. The planning and design, as well as securing funding, could take years.
Current costs are estimated at $90M, but that number is expected to increase by the time the 2029 construction start arrives.
Unlike the current lagoon-type wastewater treatment plant currently in use, Coolidge will have to switch to a mechanical plant for the expansion. The lagoon system will eventually be phased out.