Wastewater Treatment Plant

Wastewater Treatment Plant

Water and wastewater has been a concern with growth. Southeast Georgia never expected to grow so fast. Richmond Hill is an example of a city with a growing population and a need for additional infrastructure; therefore, a wastewater treatment program was inevitable. In 2015, Richmond Hill prepared for expansion by planning for the construction of the Sterling Creek Water Reclamation Facility. The facility was intended to provide wastewater services within the city and future city limits of Richmond Hill. Richmond Hill chose to replace and upgrade the constructed wetland facility with a more modern approach, a membrane bioreactor (MBR) plant that was one of the most technologically advanced at the time of its construction.

Because clean water is essential, the city carefully selected this program because of its unmatchable water effluent quality as well as its capacity to reduce the introduction of nutrients into the Ogeechee River Basin. Wastewater treatment plants are crucial for a community like Richmond Hill. The treatment facility removes harmful pollutants from liquid waste so that it can return to the environment safely. Nature has an amazing ability to cope with wastewater and pollution, but it would be overwhelmed if we didn’t treat the millions of gallons of wastewater and sewage produced every day before releasing it back to the environment. Treatment plants reduce pollutants in wastewater to a level nature can handle. Additionally, the previously manufactured wetlands are preserved with the effluent from the new plant and continues to attract a variety of wildlife and is a popular site for avid bird watchers and wildlife viewing. This 500-acre facility has been designated a wildlife sanctuary by the city council.

Richmond Hill’s wastewater treatment facility serves more than 12,000 residents and collects sewage over an area of 10 square miles. The treatment plant process an average of 1.6 million gallons per day, with capacity to treat 3.0 million gallons per day. All this falls under the guidance of EOM Operations, which is contracted by the city to handle all the public works for Richmond Hill. Richmond Hill chose a private firm to provide operation and management services on a contract basis.

Richmond Hill’s innovative approach to wastewater has been very successful. In choosing a technologically progressive treatment facility and well qualified agency to handle the city’s public works, the government is able to focus their attention on other services in the community.

As a small coastal community it is important to retain natural beauty. Most wastewater treatment facilities can be an eyesore on otherwise beautiful coastline, Richmond Hill is fortunate maintain the 500-acre facility as treatment facility as well as a wildlife sanctuary. Richmond Hill believes it is a matter of caring for the environment.