A new advanced treatment process plus improvements to the existing WWTF main pump station, two primary clarifiers, and two aeration tanks. The project includes the addition of new sludge storage tanks, a new sludge dewatering building, and modifications to the disinfection building to house bulk chemical storage and new aeration blowers.

The wastewater project cost is expected to be approximately $24 million.

Milford received an ARPA congressionally directed water quality grant in the amount of $520,000 that was used for the advanced treatment process study and preliminary design of the advanced treatment process.

The MWUD has applied to the NHDES Clean Water State Revolving (Loan) Fund (CWSRF) Program and has been “approved” for up to $30 million in borrowing. The MWUD also applied for and received a $100,000 ARPA planning grant, which is being applied to the study for the additional WWTF needs.

The project will be paid for on a cost sharing basis between users connected to the sewer system and taxpayers in the community. The Town of Wilton will also be sharing in the cost of the upgrades.

Septic systems depend on a reliable disposal and treatment option when pumped – the Milford WWTF provides this option. In addition, all residents in Milford benefit from a thriving commercial and industrial presence in town, which would not be possible without the WWTF.

Depending on the loan term, system users can expect to pay approximately $200 per year more.

Depending on the final cost sharing arraignment, taxpayers who have a property valued at $350,000 can expect to pay another $100 per year more in property tax.

The construction is expected to take 3 years, contingent on supply chain.

It is a process that removes most of the phosphorous from the wastewater as well as reduces the concentration of certain metals. Advanced treatment is needed to meet the new EPA NPDES Permit.

The MWUD has always planned for and implemented capital improvements over the years but the advanced age of the WWTF (40-years) has led to many systems that are obsolete and wearing out at the same time.

The WWTF uses many pieces of electrical equipment that run 24/7/365 such as pumps, blowers, compressors, and lighting, Replacement equipment will be more energy efficient benefitting from the latest technologies around motor construction and controls, and properly sized equipment.

Operational efficiencies will be gained by implementing current technologies for remote sensing, alarms, and controls to change equipment settings remotely. Sludge handling will be simplified and provided with redundant equipment. Bulk chemical storage will reduce the per-gallon cost of purchasing chemicals.

No, there are no collection system improvements planned with the WWTF upgrades.

Yes, the upgrades will be sequenced to allow the WWTF to continue operating 24/7/365.

Yes, the cost of sludge removal and disposal will increase since the advanced treatment process will produce more sludge than the current operations. However, the MWUD is committing to replacing obsolete equipment with new, more energy efficient equipment to help offset this cost increase.