Adam RollinsThe Morgantown Utility Board (MUB) in West Virginia will use $30 million to expand and upgrade the Cheat Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and Whites Run Lift Station. The current facility equipment is approaching the end of its service life, and the WWTP can’t consistently handle large rain events. The project is currently in the design phase. Construction will begin March 2025.
The West Virginia Water Development Authority (WDA) recently awarded MUB $6.8 million from the Economic Enhancement Grant Fund (EEGF) to move the project forward. The EEGF provides financial support for water, wastewater/sewer or stormwater system projects. Once completed, the WWTP and pump station will service customers for the next 20 years while complying with state and federal water quality regulations.
The project will expand the WWTP south onto land purchased by MUB in 2018. As part of the expansion, MUB will increase the plant’s capacity from 0.75 million gallons per day (mgd) to 1.75 mgd. The board will upgrade the pumping systems, preliminary treatment, biological activated sludge, UV disinfection, effluent outfall and biosolids management.
Other plans include improving odor control, stormwater collection and treatment, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), electrical distribution systems, emergency standby power and security systems. MUB will also perform site utility work and upgrade the facility’s lighting, heating, ventilation and HVAC.
The MUB will replace the pumps at the Whites Run Station, increasing capacity from 1.98mgd to 4.1mgd. The board will upgrade the building, electrical systems and general site work, including replacing the odor control feed system serving the force main. Plans include installing a privacy fence around the station.
Morgantown is 75 miles south of Pittsburgh, near the West Virginia-Pennsylvania border.
Photo by Brian M. Powell
