All Iowa City wastewater will soon flow to the same place

A proposed project to consolidate Iowa City's two wastewater treatment facilities is about to become a reality.

Next week mayor Matt Hayek is expected to award the contract to Joseph J. Henderson & Sons Inc., who bid $43.7 million on the project. Public Works officials have recommended the mayor award the project to the Illinois based company.

"It's going to be a big project," said Rick Fosse, Director of Public Works.

Construction on the project is slated to begin in May, Ben Clark, Iowa City Special Project Administrator, said.

The work will result in the closing of the north plant on South Clinton Street, just outside of downtown, which flooded in 2008.  The eventual demolition of the site will make way for the proposed "Riverfront Crossing District."

"It will allow us growth, if we want industry to come to town, it will better position us to treat their discharges," Clark said.

The work to consolidate the two plants is expected to be complete by 2014.  This will increase the intake at the south facility, which is located near the Kickers Soccer Park, by 33 percent.  Much of the project is being paid for through a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Agency and through local option sales tax revenue.