Akron: Mayor Horrigan Announces Water Reclamation Facility BioCEPT Project Now Fully Operational
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City of Akron Press Release
From the desk of City of Akron Press Office
Published: 01-13-2022

Akron, Ohio, January 13, 2022 — Today, at an event at the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF), Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan and City officials announced the completion of the Biologically Chemically Enhanced Primary Treatment (BioCEPT) facility located within the WRF at 2460 Akron Peninsula Rd.  This project is one of the 26 major projects in the City's consent decree under the Akron Waterways Renewed! (AWR!) program.

The BioCEPT facility achieved full operation, officially, on December 27, 2021 ahead of the mandated completion date. This facility has the ability to treat an additional 60 million gallons of wastewater per day and allows the plant to provide full biological secondary treatment of wastewater for up to 280 million gallons per day. With the completion of the BioCEPT project, Akron is one of the few wastewater treatment facilities in Ohio that provides biological treatment of 100% of the flow it receives.

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Through the Integrated Planning process and two amendments to the Consent Decree, Akron was able to revise the project schedule and change to a more suitable technology providing greater environmental benefit. With these revisions, the BioCEPT project meets the required performance standard with less complicated operation, lower maintenance and capital cost, and involves less chemical use. Additionally, with the amendments, the BioCEPT project's estimated capital cost had a savings of $39 million and a financial savings of over $66 million. Financial savings were made possible through a combined effort of Ohio EPA and the City working together to use innovative financial measures.

"I'm incredibly pleased that we were able to work with Ohio EPA to complete this project for less than the original planning cost, in a timely manner, and with no reduction to the ecological benefits in the process," Mayor Dan Horrigan said.

BioCEPT is a high rate, wet weather treatment process where biological microorganisms are used to stabilize untreated wet-weather wastewater. After biological treatment, chemicals are added to further treat and purify the water. The excess flows treated by the BioCEPT process are combined with the conventionally treated wastewater prior to disinfection and release to the Cuyahoga River to meet EPA requirements.

As part of the project, the City of Akron will conduct an extensive demonstration study as required by the U.S. EPA. That study is set to begin in May. Results from this study may be used to expand treatment capacities at other wastewater treatment plants nationwide.

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"The mission of Akron Waterways Renewed is to invest in Akron's environmental future by building infrastructure for the next century that will protect public health and maintain water of the highest quality. We aim to do this in the most cost-effective manner, while creating local jobs," Mayor Horrigan continued. "The completion of this facility helps us to continue to further that mission for the citizens of Akron and the surrounding communities."

For more information about BioCEPT, please visit: https://www.akronwaterwaysrenewed.com/

For further information, contact:
City of Akron Press Office
Phone: 330-375-2754
E-mail: [email protected]

Filed Under: Government, City
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