A project that started a few years ago has come to its initial step of being substantially completed in Jefferson.

City Administrator Scott Peterson says the Wastewater Treatment Plant is technically fully functioning, which means all of the necessary upgrades are done. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio  the facility needed to be improved due to no longer being in compliance with discharge rates by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 

“We are treating water out there. And then over the upcoming weeks and really months it is a matter of kind of getting things dialed in properly and knowing that you’re optimizing the treatment and using the new plant with all of the great things that it can do.”

Peterson believes this over $18 million project has gone about as good as anyone would’ve hoped, along with working with the general contractor, Shank Constructors.

“You know there’s been change orders along the way, like with any project, but the contractors’ been great. We’ve always had some lead time issues on getting some of the products which has extended the project time a little bit. But ultimately the project is done, and feeling really good about that, and thinking about our water treatment needs are going to be set now for the next 20 years or so.” 

Peterson says the public shouldn’t see any difference in terms of wastewater service and that is how it should be. He adds that an open house may be planned for the future for anyone to see the renovations, but that the entire project is anticipated to be completed by possibly this fall.