UV & Headworks Project

Ultra Violet Disenfection & Headworks Improvements Project

At their May 19, 2025 meeting, the City Commission approved a major investment to upgrade the Traverse City Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, a critical piece of infrastructure that serves the City and surrounding communities.

The project will replace aging and deteriorating components to improve system reliability, enhance environmental protection, and ensure regulatory compliance. It follows a 2021 engineering study that identified critical areas in need of improvement, including:

• Preliminary Screening (1994): Lacks redundancy and sufficient hydraulic capacity.
• Grit Separation (1950s, 1970s): Performs inadequately, failing to balance flow during peak influent rates.
• Primary Clarifiers (1930s, 1950s): Significant corrosion and frequent costly repairs required.
• Primary Effluent Screw Pumps (1970s): Operating beyond their expected useful life.
• UV Disinfection System (1998): Reaching end of life and under an Administrative Consent Order (ACO) from EGLE. The new system must be elevated to prevent damage during high water events.

In 2022, five-year project plans for drinking water and clean water (wastewater) were developed, prioritizing project investments. This initiative marks a significant step towards ensuring the long-term sustainability and efficiency of Traverse City’s water infrastructure.

Funding

A $35.5 million Guaranteed Maximum Price construction contract with Commercial Contracting Corporation

A $386,110.97 contract with Jacobs for SCADA (system control and data acquisition) integration

A $225,000 pre-loan expenditure for long-lead items needed to keep the project on schedule

The project will be financed through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and will be reimbursed by the Sewer Fund after loan closing. Construction is expected to begin in late 2025 and continue through 2028.