Central ND News

A flood mitigation project aimed at protecting Bismarck’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is close to completion. The latest phase involves redirecting treated wastewater through an alternate discharge point into the Missouri River, with this change starting today.

The project has focused on modifying the pipe that connects the WWTP to the river. The new system reroutes water from the main discharge point into a drainage channel under Tavis Road before reaching the river. This approach is intended to prevent backflow of river water into the plant during flooding or ice jams, which have posed risks in previous years.

“In all likelihood, we may never need to use this system, but when you are talking about the flood events of 2009 and 2011, if we had seen the crests that were predicted, we would have been in trouble without this system,” said Public Works Utility Operations Director Michael Mart. “But when we do need to use it, it is going to protect the plant from flooding and will save millions of dollars of potential flood damage to the plant.”

To inform residents about these changes, four signs have been placed along Tavis Road where treated water enters the drainage area. Officials advise against swimming in or drinking from this section while discharges are ongoing. Mart noted, “The water is still the same water that would otherwise be discharged into the Missouri River from the WWTP and complies with state and federal regulations.”

Mart also stated: “We’ve contacted the State authorities about the project, as well as nearby homeowners to inform them of the temporary treated water release. While there isn’t a large concern, at the end of the day, it is still treated effluent. We want everyone to know what it is they are dealing with and give them the information to make the best choices for themselves.”

During this period of redirected flow, construction will continue on a gate structure expected to take up to ten days.

Further details about Bismarck’s wastewater operations can be found on their Public Works Utility Operations Page.