Dry Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements

Ardurra partnered with Decatur Utilities on a long-term improvement program for the 36 MGD Dry Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant to address treatment performance, reliability, regulatory compliance, and capacity challenges. Ardurra completed process reviews, BioWin modeling, nutrient removal assessments, energy analyses, odor control studies, and industrial pretreatment evaluations. These studies identified operational deficiencies and high industrial loading, leading Ardurra to develop a phased improvement strategy for the plant.

Ardurra modernized the plant's diffusers, air piping, blowers, instrumentation, and SCADA systems through the Aeration Improvements Project, restoring biological treatment performance and reducing energy costs by up to $300,000 annually. Ardurra also rehabilitated primary clarifiers and anaerobic digesters through the Biosolids Improvements Project, adding methane recovery systems, upgrading SCADA, improving site electrical systems, and constructing a new solids dewatering facility with centrifuges and supporting equipment. Ardurra assisted with State Revolving Fund financing and provided construction management for the overall $8.26 million improvements program.

Ardurra also designed a new Influent Pump Station and Headworks Facility featuring fine screening, odor control, yard piping, site improvements, and SCADA integration, all planned to maintain plant operations during construction. Ardurra additionally led a Facilities Rehabilitation and Coatings Project that improved corrosion protection and durability across the utility's water and wastewater facilities while minimizing operational disruptions.

Together, these projects reflect Ardurra's experience with full WWTP evaluations, process optimization, phased infrastructure upgrades, industrial loading challenges, SRF-funded projects, and the maintenance of continuous operations during construction.

Key Highlights

• Restored and optimized wastewater treatment performance for a growing community by evaluating the entire 36 MGD Dry Creek WWTP, identifying treatment deficiencies, and developing a phased improvement plan to address regulatory compliance, reliability, and increasing industrial loading.

• Implemented innovative process modeling and aeration upgrades using BioWin simulations, new fine-bubble diffusers, high-efficiency turbo blowers, advanced instrumentation, and SCADA controls, significantly enhancing biological treatment performance while reducing energy costs by up to $300,000 annually.

• Modernized biosolids handling and resource recovery systems through rehabilitation of primary clarifiers and anaerobic digesters, installation of methane gas recovery equipment, and construction of a new centrifuge-based dewatering facility, improving operational efficiency and long-term sustainability.

• Improved system resiliency and operational continuity with upgrades to the influent pump station, headworks, odor control systems, yard piping, and SCADA integration, all carefully phased to keep the treatment plant operational during construction and avoid service interruptions to customers.

• Secured and managed $8.26 million in SRF-funded infrastructure improvements, delivering critical wastewater investments that protect public health, support industrial and economic growth, improve environmental compliance, and extend the useful life of essential utility assets.

Ardurra's multi-phase improvement program restored reliable, compliant treatment at Decatur Utilities' 36 MGD Dry Creek WWTP while cutting energy costs by up to $300,000 a year. The phased approach modernized biosolids handling, pump station capacity, and facility infrastructure, positioning Decatur Utilities for continued growth and regulatory compliance.