Water Capital Projects

The following projects will be constructed over the next three years.

Upgrades to WTP No. 1 are planned to increase plant capacity from 3 million gallons per day (mgd) to between 6 and 8 mgd. The extra plant capacity will allow CCU to make improvements to WTP No. 2 without disruptions to the customer.

The project includes improvements to the filters, the backwash handling system, and the chlorine disinfection system.

The disinfection improvements will improve the safety of the water plant by eliminating the use of chlorine gas.

The plan is to rehabilitate WTP No. 2 over a period of time with several projects that can be combined or completed separately. WTP No. 2 requires significant rehabilitation that will be done over several years. Once complete, the plant will be able to consistently supply water to our consumers for years to come.

Some of the early action projects include improving filter backwash and changing the disinfection process. Like with WTP No. 1, the disinfection changes will improve safety by stopping the use and storage of chlorine gas on site.

Water tanks 1 and 2 are both not tall enough, meaning the system pressure has to be lowered to empty the tanks and ensure the water turns over often enough.

Water tank 1 will be replaced in its current location and will be constructed to the correct height and include additional storage.

Water tank 2 will include a booster station to pump water out of the tank to the northeast portion of the distribution system.

  • WTP No. 2 Raw Water Main Replacement
    • This project includes the construction of a parallel raw water main from the Marr Glick wellfield to WTP No. 2 for redundancy and capacity.
  • 16” Transmission Main (Directionally Drilled) – Marr Road
    • This project includes the replacement of an existing portion of 16” transmission main under Haw Creek. The existing main is currently visible in Haw Creek due to erosion of the creek over time.
  • 16” Transmission Main (Directionally Drilled) – 10th Street
    • This project includes the replacement of an existing portion of 16” transmission main under Haw Creek. The existing main is currently visible in Haw Creek due to erosion of the creek over time.
  • 2nd Street Water Main Replacement
    • INDOT is planning to reconstruct 2nd Street from the bridge over East Fork White River to State Street in 2026 or 2027. Some of our oldest and most difficult to locate water mains are in 2nd Street, so it is in our best interest to replace the water main ahead of the INDOT project.

Wastewater Capital Projects

CCU is heading into a new round of capital projects, made possible by the rate increases approved in fall 2024. The following projects are upcoming over the next three years.

The WWTP Solar Project includes the construction of a solar field west of the WWTP on property owned by CCU. The approximately 1 megawatt solar array would reduce energy purchased by around 30 percent. This project will reduce electrical costs of the utility and improve power resiliency. The project also will take advantage of tax rebates from the Inflation Reduction Act.

The centrifuge project will replace and upsize two existing biosolids centrifuges. This project will allow CCU to keep up with growth in the City and be more flexible with biosolids operations.

CCU plans to install a new biosolids dryer to significantly reduce the volume of biosolids produced and produce a Class A product. The proposed improvements will allow the utility to be better prepared for future regulations.

  • Westside Interceptor – The interceptor portion of the project includes approximately 13,000 feet of new 42-inch gravity sewer that will eliminate the State Road 46 lift station and serve the undeveloped area south of State Road 46 and west of Garden City. The State Road 46 lift station is in poor condition and is undersized for current flows. The cement-asbestos force main from the State Road 46 lift station is unlocatable and is under the new SR 46/SR 11 overpass.
  • SR 11 Force Main – The force main portion of the project includes a new small-diameter force main installed along State Road 11 to serve three properties with existing grinder pump connections to a cement-asbestos force main. This would also allow some residents and businesses with failing septic tanks to connect to City sewer.
  • Southside Lift Station – The Southside lift station is a regional station that serves all areas of the City west of the East Fork White River. The existing wet well is too small for existing flows, leading to inefficient pump operation. The project includes reconstructing the wet well so that it’s deep enough to receive the Westside Interceptor and improve pump operation.
  • The Westside Interceptor, SR 11 force main, and southside lift station projects will provide capacity for growth on the west side of Columbus far into the future, make operations more efficient, and eliminate potential sewer overflows.

The Clifty lift station receives flow from a large gravity sewer area as well as three remote lift stations outside of the City. The project will increase capacity to address infiltration and inflow in the collection system and will make lift station maintenance easier.

The 8th Street lift station is a regional station that receives flow from the Indianapolis Road corridor and Driftwood Utilities. The 8th Street service area has seen significant growth over the past five years, and growth is expected to continue in the area. The project will increase lift station capacity and improve power resiliency with a permanent standby generator.