GREENVILLE — The city of Greenville is in the midst of a $2 million upgrade to 40-year-old sewer systems.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has provided Greenville a $535,000 loan and $1,528,700 grant through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program.
The majority of construction is not expected to start until the spring of 2021, according to city officials.
“We’ve got bad water leaks everywhere in our sewer system,” said Mayor Larry Burchard, after the grant was announced. “The wastewater system is very old and has not been working properly. Some of our city street sewers are in bad shape.”
The leaks come from storm water infiltration, which has strained the system’s pumps and increased the amount and cost of chemicals needed for wastewater treatment, he said.
Smoke tests were done in late September and early October to help identify problem areas.
The city’s aging collection lines are exhibiting symptoms of significant inflow and infiltration, the USDA reported. Planned improvements include rehabilitating manholes and lift stations and repairing the gravity main lining.
The city’s lagoon also is in bad shape and has to be redone, Burchard said.
The lagoon will be retrofitted with updated treatment technology to help the city meet existing and upcoming limits set by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. This will include infrared disinfecting, allowing for less use of chemicals, Burchard said.
“When complete, the improvements will provide a safer and more reliable system for all residents in Greenville,” the USDA said in a press release.
The city’s portion of the cost will be covered through a rate change, which, Burchard said, is expected to be small. The city will know the final rate change when the project is completed, he said.