The Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District is planning to take its plant capacity from 0.37 million gallons per day to 0.5 million gallons per day. Board members Bob Dumford, left, Jim Boone and Dan Mikolajczak are pictured hearing information on the expansion from representatives of Jones & Henry Engineers. Photo by Lilli Dwyer.

By Lilli Dwyer
InkFree News

CROMWELL — The Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District is planning to expand its plant capacity. Information on the expansion was presented by representatives from Jones & Henry Engineers of Fort Wayne at the sewer board meeting Monday, Jan. 15.

The plant’s current design capacity is 0.37 million, or 370,000 gallons per day. Its peak capacity is 2.3 million gallons per day. The plant operates at 90% of its design capacity on annual average.

This planned expansion will take capacity up to 0.5 million, or 500,000, gallons per day.

The board has already agreed to accept wastewater from the potential South Shore Village development in Syracuse in the future. At least two new pump stations would be needed for the area.

They are also looking to do a feasibility study on adding the Enchanted Hills housing addition to their territory. Plant capacity will be expanded regardless of if Enchanted Hills is covered or not.

“How high we can stay above that 0.37 is what the issue really is,” said Superintendent Tim Woodward. “We have plenty of capacity to bring on the (South Shore) golf course and treat that, it’s just how well we’re going to treat it, and that’s why we’re making the improvements we’re making.”

A comprehensive report on improvements to plant capacity and septic elimination projects from Jones & Henry is due to the district March 1.

One improvement underway is the replacement of 7-foot rotors at the plant. These rotors mix and aerate sewage. Replacements have already been ordered and arrived at the plant. Depending on weather, they may be installed in February or March.

New 11-foot rotors are also being looked at as part of the plant expansion. The next steps on this part of the project will be included in the comprehensive report due in March. Jeff Hersha of Jones & Henry predicted that new rotors will increase plant capacity by 33.5%.

In other business, the board elected its officers for 2024. Positions were maintained from last year, with Jim Boone as president and Bob Dumford as vice president.

The board approved a credit card ordinance for 2024, which authorizes Woodward to make purchases with the district’s credit card.

Boone also made a motion to ban public parking on lids around pump stations, which the rest of board approved.

The next Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District meeting will be Monday, Feb. 19.