Water Resources Recovery Facility Expands to 24 Million Gallons A Day
The Water Resources Recovery Facility, formerly known as the Sinking Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant, has increased capacity 50 percent following a major expansion. The facility is located at 2032 Blanton Drive in Murfreesboro, TN 37129.
The Murfreesboro City Council approved the expansion on Feb. 5, 2015 and on Sept. 22, 2015, the Murfreesboro Water Resources Department and Executive Board gathered for an official groundbreaking ceremony, marking the occasion. City administrators, consultants from Smith Seckman Reid, Inc., and Department employees, including former Director Joe Kirchner, were on hand for the event.
“This project was years in the making and required diligent foresight on the part of previous Department leaders,” said current Director Darren Gore. “The current water resources leadership team has built on that great work of the past and is successfully meeting the challenges of the future.”
The $30.5 million expansion increased the plant’s processing capacity from 16 million to 24 million gallons per day. It increased the number of clarifiers from four to six and added a third oxidation ditch. Each clarifier measures 145 feet in diameter and 17 feet in depth. The expansion was completed before its expected timetable of 2018.
“We are tremendously excited to have the larger capacity Water Resource Recovery Facility on line and treating water,” said Plant Manager John Strickland. “Murfreesboro’s upgraded facility receives all the wastewater generated by the City and transforms it into an excellent quality water that meets all state and federal standards. The water is then used to enhance the West Fork Stones River and for irrigation, including the beautiful landscaping in the Gateway.”
The superior performance of the facility not only enabled the City to gain State approval of a new river discharge permit for the expansion, but also earned professional recognition. The Plant received The William Hunter Owen Award in 2014 as an Outstanding Wastewater Treatment Plant from the Tennessee Water and Wastewater Association, the national Utility of the Future award in 2016, and a 5th consecutive Operation Excellence award in 2017.
The expansion project was funded through debt service on a 20-year fixed loan at 1.4 percent annual interest. The Murfreesboro Water Resources Department received 6 bids for the expansion in 2015. After a review of the proposals by engineering firm Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR), the low bid was award to 3D Enterprises.
Murfreesboro is one of the best cities in the country for quality of life, raising a family and doing business. The expansion was critical in ensuring that the City maintains its strong socioeconomic position for a growing population that is forecasted to double by 2035.
