Niles starts construction of $35 million wastewater treatment plant

November 23, 2015 at 8:03p.m.

NILES

A ceremonial groundbreaking Monday has marked the official start of construction of the city’s $35 million wastewater treatment plant.

The facility, at the Summit Street site of the current wastewater plant, is not expected to be completed until December 2018.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency determined in 2012 that the current treatment plant, built in 1985, is incapable of complying with EPA standards, which forced the city to commit to new construction.

Without upgrades, Niles would have faced citations and fines from the EPA for noncompliance.

“When completed, we will be able to process 13 million gallons compared to the 6 million we handle now,” said Andy Catanzarite, plant superintendent. “We’ll be able to handle a peak of 20 million gallons if necessary.”

Catanzarite said heavy rains and flooding last June stretched the plant’s capacity to 13 million gallons, well above its normal capacity.

The superintendent said the new capabilities will include removal of nutrients such as phosphorus and ammonia from the Mahoning River.

“Both of those absorb oxygen in the water, which could kill fish, vegetation and other aquatic life unless they’re removed,” Catanzarite said.