City of Midwest City

The City of Midwest City recently held the ground breaking ceremony for renovations at the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant. Extensive renovations will begin immediately and are expected to take approximately three years, according to Director of Environmental Services, William J. Janacek.

Janacek said his wastewater staff has done a great job over the past several years keeping the plant operational, but, the plant has out-lived its useful life. The plant was originally built in 1963 and underwent its most recent expansions in 1982 and 1989. According to Janacek, the average life-expectancy of a wastewater treatment plant is approximately 20 years.

The City Council recently awarded the construction / renovation contract to Garney Companies, Inc. of Kansas City, Missouri in the amount of $47.1 million. Garney will handle the day-to-day renovations, with a representative from Black & Veatch functioning as the on-site inspector. The City has previously contracted with Black & Veatch for the study, design and engineering phases of the project. Now, the City will look to them to assist with oversight of the construction phase, as well.

Garney Companies Vice President, Mike Gardner said the company is very pleased to be working with Midwest City. According to Gardner, contracting with municipalities regarding their water and wastewater needs comprises approximately 65% of the company’s total contracts. Garney will be relocating approximately 50 staff members to Midwest City for the duration of the contract. In addition, they will be offering up to about 25 additional employment opportunities to local people. Gardner said those job postings will begin within a couple of weeks.

“We are very pleased to begin the construction phase of this project,” Janacek said. We look forward to having new technology available to us through the renovation, such as the installation of an ultra violet disinfectant unit, Janacek added. This new feature will allow staff to meet our discharge permit requirements for disinfection in a much safer manner, eliminating the use of hazardous chemicals. Ultimately, this feature will not only protect the water downstream, but, the eco-system as well. “Overall, the renovations will not only make our plant more efficient in all treatment aspects, but also more environmentally friendly to the wildlife downstream,” Janacek said.