In Fennimore, as in most cities, a large percentage of the used water, also known as wastewater, moves from homes, businesses, schools and industries via a sanitary sewer system to a central point – our wastewater treatment plant.
The purpose of the City of Fennimore’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is to remove the wastes from the water prior to discharging the flow into the Gregory Branch stream. What we are actually doing is purifying the wastewater to protect the waterways for public and private uses down stream of our facility.
Currently, the Fennimore Wastewater Utility consists of seven wastewater lift stations, a rotating biological (RBC) system, a clarifier and filter, and 23 miles of sanitary sewer mains.
Our Wastewater Treatment Facility located on Highway 61 south of the City, has the capacity to treat 620,000 gallons of wastewater per day. The City is currently in the process of designing an upgraded treatment plant facility.
All wastewater from the City travels through the city’s sanitary sewer mains, mostly by gravity to the treatment plant through two interceptor mains that collect waste from the east and west halves of the City.
Construct Utility in ROW Permit App
Fennimore Sanitary Sewer Department and Chapter 255 of the City Ordinances requires each customer that needs to construct, repair or maintain a sewer lateral with associated work being done in the City right-of-way (ROW), needs to apply for a permit at least three days before starting work. All conditions of the permit will need to be met. There is no fee for the permit.
Permit to Construct Utilities in Road Right–of-Way Application
Ordinance 255 – Sewer Use
Treatment Plant Upgrade News
Upgrades to the existing wastewater treatment facility are being planned. These upgrades are needed to comply with current and future Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources permit requirements, repair or replace equipment that is nearing the end of its useful life, and upgrade the facility to meet the City’s current and future needs.
Wastewater Treatment Facilities Planning Document (8Mb – 292 pages)
The recent public hearing discussed:
- Population and Design Projections
- Current and Future Permit Requirements
- Alternatives Evaluated
- Review of Alternatives Selected
- Implementation Schedule
- Environmental Effects
- User Charge System Impacts
The City of Fennimore is also in the process of applying for USDA Rural Development funds to complete the proposed modifications to the wastewater treatment facility. The specific objective of this application is to receive low interest loans and grant assistance.
All interested parties are encouraged to attend scheduled public meetings or send their comments, in writing, to the City of Fennimore, 860 Lincoln Avenue, Fennimore, WI 53809. If there are any questions, please contact Amy Bares, P.E., our consulting engineer, Town & Country Engineering, Inc. 608-273-3350 or Director of Public Works 608-822-6119.
