Skip to main content

Southtowns Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion Project Update

Southtowns Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion Project
Phase 1 Construction Update (September 2025)

Notice to proceed for Phase 1 of the Southtowns Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion Project was issued in December 2023, with the contractor mobilizing onsite soon after.  Construction is approximately three-quarters complete as of September 2025.

The general progress thus far includes: 

  • Electrical substation: the building structure is complete and all electrical equipment installed such as the new transformers, switchgear, motor control centers, backup 2.5 MW generator, and more have been installed.  National Grid has energized the new electrical substation and shutdown/decommissioning of various existing electrical facilities is in progress.
  • Effluent submersible pumping station: the entire structure (below grade and above grade) is complete, all equipment such as pumps, valves, electrical controls, and more have been installed, influent and effluent piping has been constructed/tested, and the effluent pumping station is now operational.
  • Chlorine contact tank: all floors and walls have been placed and tested, all weirs, gates, chemical feed systems, and other appurtenances installed, and the tank is now operational.
  • Effluent piping: all new piping and major interconnections with the existing 66” diameter piping have been finalized; outfall cleaning and diffuser repairs within the lake are complete.
  • ORF influent piping: new 72” diameter piping has arrived on site for Fall 2025 installation.
  • Site work: access roads, site grading, and other features completed throughout the site, with major restoration work to follow.

Below are photos showing the progress of various components of the project.

Site overview (facing west southwest) – new electrical substation and generator are at the bottom of the image
Substation schematic (facing northwest)
New 2.5 MW generator being lowered into position (facing southwest)
New effluent submersible pumping station and chlorine contact chamber (facing south)
New effluent submersible pumping station and chlorine contact chamber (facing northwest)
Effluent submersible pumping station schematics (facing north and northeast)
One of the effluent pumps being installed
Chlorine contact chamber schematic (facing northwest)
Connection of new piping to existing 66" diameter outfall (facing west)
Bench for chamber being constructed
Site work on the south end of the facility (facing northeast) – new 72” diameter piping is staged on the left side of the image
Treated effluent exiting over the discharge weir in the new chlorine contact tank

For more information on the Southtowns Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion Project, please visit: Southtowns Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion Project | Division of Sewerage Management (DSM) (erie.gov)

Changed