MONDOVI, Wis., Sept. 16, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development representatives joined the City of Mondovi, CBS Squared Inc, CD Smith Construction Inc, CLEARAS Water Recovery and others at a groundbreaking today to celebrate the start of construction of their new wastewater treatment plant.
“Wisconsin rural communities face the challenge of aging or inadequate infrastructure to provide clean drinking water and wastewater treatment to meet the needs of their communities,” Acting State Director Michelle Wallace said. “This investment in Mondovi will support the growth of the community.”
In Buffalo County, Wis., the City of Mondovi will use $16.4 million in direct, low-interest loans and $10.6 million in grant funding to construct a new Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), in conjunction with new underground utilities and storm water retention facilities, in a newly created industrial park. The existing facility, built in the 1960's, is not be able to meet future phosphorus effluent limits. The current site is close to residential properties, located within a flood plain and is surrounded by wetlands. In addition to the necessary improvements to the WWTP, certain sections of the current sanitary sewer collection system require repairs and upgrades because of the high amounts of inflow and infiltration during storm events.
The new facility will include different technologies to manage sludge, monitor and control equipment, energy savings initiatives, UV disinfection, septage receiving and monitoring and a new bio-solids handling process. The City of Mondovi will meet their future phosphorus limits by utilizing an algae-based Advanced Biological Nutrient Recovery (ABNR) system. The ABNR system uses algae to remove phosphorus from the wastewater and recover the phosphorus in a marketable algae co-product.
The new facility will be in a new industrial park that the City is currently developing. The WWTP will be the first development in the park which will include a watermain, sanitary sewer and storm sewer and the construction of a new road. In addition to these improvements, upgrades will be made to specific sections of the sanitary sewer collection system along with the construction of a new lift station and forcemain to convey wastewater to the new WWTP location. The Department of Housing & Urban Development through the Community Development Block Grant program provided $1 million in funding to support the construction of the roadway and lift station.
USDA is funding this project through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas with populations of 10,000 or less.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/wi, call us at 715-345-7600 or email wi-rd-stateoffice@usda.gov.
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