Construction of $20M sewer plant underway

The construction of the new $20 million Waste Water Treatment Plant is underway on Guthrie’s northwest side of town.

Over 400 yards of concrete was poured on Wednesday at the plant located at 1506 N. Academy Road, which is near the City’s Convenience Center (landfill).

The current sewer plant, located at 806 Beemer Road, will be torn down once the new facility is completed and in operation. The facility opened in 1955, and sits near the Cottonwood Creek. It was updated in 1982 and 2001, but it has reached the end of its design life, and the permit for the facility expires in 2025.

This future plant is not to be confused with the Water Treatment Plant (opened in 2011) located on S. Division St.

Underground lines, including pressure lines, are being installed to the future sewer plant from the current collection site.

The plant is expected to be completed by April 14, 2023.

The physical plant makes up $13,991,831 of the ticket price. The primary lift station and off-site piping rounds out the total cost. All combined equaling $18,837,000.

Part of the $20.6M package, includes a $1.2M in contingences, engineering fees and easement costs.

The City is funding the project with $19M in bond issues from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and a $1M with funds on hand (Capital Improvement Project, CMOM fees).

Since 1983, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board has approved over $4.8 billion in loans and grants for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout Oklahoma.

“We are grateful to State Senator Chuck Hall and State Representatives John Pfeiffer and Garry Mize for their support of our financial assistance programs,” said Julie Cunningham, Executive Director of the OWRB.