Polk County Commissioners Approve $50+ Million GMP for Northeast Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion – DailyRidge.com

Report on the Expansion of the Northeast Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

The Polk County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) has approved a significant financial addendum for the expansion of the Northeast Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (NERWWTF). The approval of a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract amounting to over $50 million facilitates the next phase of a critical infrastructure project. This expansion is essential for accommodating rapid regional growth and demonstrates a strong commitment to achieving key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

2.0 Project Approval and Financial Allocation

At its meeting on November 4, the BoCC formally approved an addendum to the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) contract for the NERWWTF expansion.

• Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Approved: $50,825,822.00
• Scope of Work: The approved sum covers the construction of Phase B-Headworks, a new Return Pump Station, and Electrical Building No. 3. These components have completed preconstruction design and bidding services.

This GMP is the latest in a series of phased approvals for the comprehensive facility upgrade. Previous financial commitments include:

1. $41,644,133 (Approved Dec. 17, 2024): Allocated for the construction of deep bed filters, chlorine contact chambers, dewatering systems, and a chemical feed building.
2. $30,421,036 (Approved Feb. 28, 2025): Designated for extensive electrical and communications upgrades, including the replacement of generators to enhance system efficiency.

3.0 Strategic Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The NERWWTF expansion project is fundamentally aligned with the global agenda for sustainable development. Its objectives and outcomes contribute directly to several SDGs.

3.1 SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

This project is a direct investment in achieving targets under SDG 6. By expanding and modernizing the treatment facility, the county is:

• Improving access to adequate and equitable sanitation for a growing population.
• Enhancing wastewater treatment processes to reduce water pollution and protect local water bodies, thereby improving ambient water quality.
• Implementing integrated water resources management at the local level.

3.2 SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The expansion is a foundational element for ensuring the long-term sustainability and resilience of Polk County, directly supporting SDG 11 by:

• Providing access to safe, affordable, and reliable basic services for all residents.
• Upgrading critical infrastructure to support inclusive and sustainable urbanization.
• Enhancing the community’s capacity for integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.

3.3 SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

This initiative represents a significant development of quality, reliable, and resilient infrastructure as outlined in SDG 9. The project:

• Builds resilient infrastructure capable of supporting economic development and human well-being.
• Upgrades technological capabilities with new electrical systems and pump stations, fostering innovation in the public utilities sector.

3.4 Broader Impacts on Health and Environment (SDG 3, 14, 15)

The project’s benefits extend to other critical goals, including Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Life Below Water (SDG 14), and Life on Land (SDG 15) by preventing waterborne diseases and minimizing the ecological impact of wastewater discharge.

4.0 Capacity Enhancement and Future Outlook

The primary objective of the multi-phase expansion is to increase the plant’s treatment capacity from 6 million to 9 million gallons per day. This 50% increase is a proactive measure to meet the demands of rapid growth in the service area. The phased implementation ensures that capacity can be raised incrementally as subsequent designs are finalized, providing a scalable and financially responsible solution. This forward-looking infrastructure planning is vital for sustainable regional development and ensures the long-term health and prosperity of the community while upholding environmental stewardship principles central to the SDGs.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the Polk County Northeast Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (NERWWTF) expansion addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on essential infrastructure development for water management and sanitation to support a growing community.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  This is the most directly relevant SDG. The entire project is centered on expanding a wastewater treatment facility. The goal is to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. By increasing the capacity to treat wastewater, the county is actively working to manage sanitation and protect water quality for its residents.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The article details a major infrastructure project, including the “construction of the Phase B-Headworks, Return Pump Station, and Electrical Building No. 3,” as well as “deep bed filters, chlorine contact chambers,” and “electrical and communications upgrades.” This aligns with SDG 9’s aim to build resilient, sustainable, and quality infrastructure to support economic development and human well-being.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The expansion is explicitly justified by the need to “meet rapid growth in the service area.” This connects directly to SDG 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Providing adequate wastewater treatment is a fundamental service required to manage urban growth sustainably and reduce the environmental impact of a growing population.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the specific actions described in the article, the following targets can be identified:

1. Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution and halving the proportion of untreated wastewater.

   The project’s core purpose is to expand the NERWWTF, which directly contributes to this target. By increasing the plant’s treatment capacity, the county can process a larger volume of wastewater, thereby reducing the amount of untreated or inadequately treated water that might otherwise be released into the environment, especially in an area experiencing “rapid growth.”

2. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure.

   The article describes the development of critical public infrastructure. The approval of over $50 million for the construction of a new pump station and electrical building, in addition to previous investments of over $72 million for filters and electrical upgrades, demonstrates a significant commitment to developing the quality and reliable infrastructure needed to support the community’s well-being.

3. Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to… municipal and other waste management.

   Wastewater is a key component of municipal waste. The expansion is a direct response to population growth. By increasing the treatment capacity from “6 to 9 million gallons per day,” the county is proactively managing the increased wastewater generated by its growing population, thereby working to reduce the per capita environmental impact of the city or service area.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article contains specific quantitative and financial data that can serve as indicators to measure progress.

• Indicator for Target 6.3: Volume of wastewater safely treated.

  The article explicitly states that the expansion “increases plant capacity from 6 to 9 million gallons per day.” This 3 million gallons per day (a 50% increase) is a direct, measurable indicator of the increased volume of wastewater that can be safely treated, contributing to the goal of improving water quality.

• Indicator for Target 9.1: Investment in infrastructure.

  The article provides precise financial figures that serve as an indicator of investment in infrastructure. It mentions the approval of a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) of “$50,825,822.00,” in addition to earlier GMPs of “$41,644,133” and “$30,421,036.” This total investment of over $122 million is a clear indicator of the financial resources mobilized for infrastructure development.

• Indicator for Target 11.6: Capacity of wastewater treatment facilities relative to population growth.

  The article implies this indicator by linking the expansion directly to the need to “meet rapid growth in the service area.” The increase in treatment capacity (from 6 to 9 million gallons per day) can be measured against population growth data for the service area to track whether waste management infrastructure is keeping pace with urban development, thus measuring progress in managing the city’s environmental impact.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: dailyridge.com