Michael Mart Director of Public Works Utility Operations at Bismarck | Bismarck
Michael Mart Director of Public Works Utility Operations at Bismarck | Bismarck
A flood mitigation project aimed at protecting Bismarck’s Wastewater Treatment Plant is close to completion. The final phase of the multi-year effort involves redirecting treated wastewater through an alternate discharge point into the Missouri River, with this change taking effect today.
The construction has centered on modifying the pipe that connects the treatment plant to the river. The new system reroutes water from its main discharge location into a drainage channel beneath Tavis Road before it enters the river. This design isolates the discharge pipe from direct contact with the Missouri River, which is intended to prevent backflow during flooding or ice jams.
“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.”
Four signs have been posted along Tavis Road at points where treated water enters the drainage system. Residents are advised not to swim in, drink from, or engage in recreational activities in these areas while treated water is being released. Mart stated, “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.”
“We’ve contacted the State authorities about the project, as well as nearby homeowners to inform them of the temporary treated water release,” said Mart. “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.”
Construction on a gate structure associated with this process will continue for up to 10 days while treated water flows through the drainage system.
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