MONTAGUE, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — Senator Markey and USDA representatives are coming to Montague Wednesday for the groundbreaking of the significant upgrade project at the town’s Clean Water Facility. The project includes installing new screw pumps to ensure compliance with environmental standards.
The town was awarded over $2 million in a USDA loan and grant for the project to reduce ratepayer impact.
From the Town of Montague:
(MONTAGUE, MA) The Town of Montague is set to break ground on a significant upgrade to its primary effluent screw pump station, located at its Clean Water Facility (CWF). The upgrade will install new pumps to help ensure compliance with environmental standards, safeguarding both public health and local ecosystems.
A groundbreaking event will be held on Wednesday, October 23 at 9:30AM at the CWF located at 34 Greenfield Road in Turners Falls. Parking is limited at the facility so please consider parking along the side of Greenfield Road next to the Canalside Rail Trail crossing. Cider donuts and coffee will be provided. Statements are expected from Senator Markey and USDA representatives.
Currently, the screw pumps, responsible for conveying wastewater from the primary settling tanks to the aeration tanks, are well beyond their anticipated useful life. They are unreliable and in poor condition, leading to increased operational challenges. Inspections have revealed considerable wear and tear, including corrosion and mechanical failures, which have decreased their efficiency. These reliability issues pose a risk of non-compliance with environmental regulations, potentially leading to penalties and negative impacts on local ecosystems.
The solution is to upgrade with in-kind replacement of the manufacturer-provided screw pumps, lubrication system, 40 hp motors, control panels, and motor starters. Additionally, structural, electrical, HVAC, and instrumentation and control features in the facility where the pumps are located will be upgraded at the same time. The benefits of this upgrade are expected to be significant, with improved reliability, reduced downtime, and enhanced energy efficiency, leading to lower operational costs.
The Town was awarded a USDA RD Water and Waste Disposal Loan ($1,616,000) and Grant ($860,000) for this important project to reduce the impact on its ratepayers.
“A primary goal of USDA Rural Development is to enhance the quality of life in the communities we serve,” said USDA State Director Scott Soares. “Properly functioning wastewater systems are critical to the wellbeing of rural America and partnering with Montague to update their clean water facility moves us closer to that goal while ensuring that residential and environmental health and safety concerns are addressed. We’re proud of the work we’ve done here in Montague and across Southern New England to further prosperity and resiliency in rural communities.”
Wright-Pierce provided the engineering design for this upgrade and Associated Construction Company, based out of Hartford, CT, will be the contractor for construction.
About Montague’s Clean Water Facility
The CWF treats industrial and residential wastewater from the Montague villages of Turners Falls, Montague City, Montague Center, and Lake Pleasant, as well as from the neighboring Town of Gill. The CWF department is responsible for the maintenance and operations of the CWF, eight Pump Stations, and Pump Station force mains.