Ames secures WTFAP grant as $62.5M Phase 1 of wastewater nutrient reduction project advances

Ames secures WTFAP grant as $62.5M Phase 1 of wastewater nutrient reduction project advancesThe City of Ames, Iowa, has accepted a $500,000 grant to offset State Revolving Fund borrowing for its Water Pollution Control Facility upgrades, which utilize Simultaneous Nitrification-Denitrification technology to meet aggressive state nutrient reduction targets.

The Ames Water Pollution Control Facility is undergoing a two-phase, $130 million overhaul to achieve a 67% reduction in nitrogen and 75% reduction in phosphorus discharges.

The city authorized a $500,000 Wastewater and Drinking Water Treatment Financial Assistance Program (WTFAP) grant to lower the principal on the project's State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan.

Phase 1 of the project, budgeted at $62.54 million, is currently under construction by Woodruff Construction and is nearly 50% complete.

The facility is implementing Simultaneous Nitrification-Denitrification (SNDN) activated sludge technology to maximize energy efficiency and carbon use.

The City Council also advanced over $6 million in sanitary sewer rehabilitation projects to reduce inflow and infiltration, delaying final contract awards to comply with SRF procedures.

The City of Ames is progressing with Phase 1 of significant modifications to its Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF). Valued at an authorized budget of $62.54 million, the initial phase is part of a broader $130 million overhaul designed to meet the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. To achieve these targets, Ames is deploying Simultaneous Nitrification-Denitrification (SNDN) activated sludge technology. According to project application documents, the SNDN process emphasizes energy efficiency and efficient carbon use for denitrification, operating the entire aeration volume at dissolved oxygen levels below 0.7 mg/L. Once both construction phases are completed, the plant is expected to cut nitrogen discharges by 67% and phosphorus by 75% into the South Skunk River watershed. The WPCF currently boasts a 33-year discharge compliance record. During its February 24 meeting, the Ames City Council authorized the Mayor to sign a $500,000 grant contract with the Iowa Finance Authority under the Wastewater and Drinking Water Treatment Financial Assistance Program (WTFAP). The grant will be applied to the city's next State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan disbursement, effectively lowering the principal balance and subsequent debt service payments for ratepayers. Phase 1 construction, led by Woodruff Construction under a $53.37 million base contract, is nearly 50% complete. The council approved Change Order No. 8, a minor $3,841.91 increase covering adjustments to door hardware, overhead doors, and programmable logic controllers, offset by credits from water line relocations. To date, approved change orders have resulted in a net deduction of over $153,000 from the original contract price, leaving a remaining contingency of more than $2.7 million. In tandem with the treatment plant upgrades, Ames is addressing collection system capacity. The council accepted bids for two major sanitary sewer rehabilitation projects designed to remove inflow and infiltration (I/I) and lower peak wet weather flows at the WPCF. The E. Lincoln Way and Nikkol Trunk Line project received a low bid of $4.46 million from Municipal Pipe Tool Co., while the Basin 11 project received a low bid of $1.61 million from the same contractor. Municipal Pipe Tool Co. brings over 50 years of Midwest sewer service experience to the work, specializing in cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) rehabilitation, cleaning, and grouting for mains ranging from 6 to 80 inches. Contract awards for both sewer projects were temporarily delayed to follow SRF funding procedures.