WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY OVERVIEW: A MODERN SEWER SYSTEM FOR THE LIBERTY COUNTY COMMUNITY

Having a modern wastewater treatment system protects our interests by allowing for managed growth, instead of sprawl that decreases quality of life for everyone.

WHAT IS A WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY (WRF)?
The water reclamation facility project consists of a new advanced treatment technology specifically designed to provide the high level of water quality protection critical to our coastal community. The new facility will use a technology called MBR, short for Membrane Bioreactor, an advanced system that combines proven biological treatment with modern filtration. Instead of large settling tanks used in traditional treatment plants, MBR uses special membranes that act like a super-fine filter. These membranes let clean water pass through while keeping everything else inside, resulting in highly purified water. The water released from the plant is much cleaner than conventional wastewater. This high level of purification makes it ideal for safe reuse in irrigation or industrial applications, helping conserve our water resources. The MBR technology also means a much smaller footprint is required for the new facility, preserving land that is valuable for wetlands and other uses. The first phase of the new facility will treat 1.0 million gallons per day (mgd) of wastewater, while full buildout will offer 3.0 mgd of capacity. This provides Liberty County with enough capacity to support job creation, tax base expansion, and water resource protection well into the future.

WHAT IS MBR TECHNOLOGY?
Protecting our local environment is a top priority, so many alternatives were considered.
• Land Application Treatment - This process requires hundreds of acres of land that could serve other more vital uses. It also requires permits that can be difficult to secure from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
• Conventional Activated Sludge - This traditional process cleans wastewater to a level that meets standards for discharge to a waterbody where further dilution occurs, but not to levels clean enough to be recycled as reuse water for industrial applications and other uses. Being able to reuse water offers greater environmental protection and conserves valuable water resources.
• MBR - This innovative technology produces a much higher quality of water, meaning minimal environmental impact to local waterways and water that can be used for irrigation and industrial reuse. The MBR facility requires a smaller footprint to construct, meaning less land will be needed in an area where wetlands and other resources must be preserved.

MBR IS PROVEN TECHNOLOGY
Georgia's coast is already home to several MBR facilities with a track record of meeting the stringent treatment requirements set by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. For example, Richmond Hill's Sterling Creek Water Reclamation Facility is an award-winning 4.0 mgd MBR plant constructed in 2016.

WHAT AREAS WILL BE SERVED?
The water reclamation facility presents a unique opportunity to collaborate with a developer who shares our community's commitment to quality economic growth and environmental stewardship. Initially, the new system will serve LCDA's properties and developments, including Tradeport East and Tradeport West. It will also support a planned development on the northwest side of Tradeport East called Laurel View Properties, designed as a fully sustainable community featuring a marina, residential neighborhoods, and commercial spaces. The first phase of the new treatment facility is being funded largely through investment from the Foram Group/Laurel View Properties, reflecting their dedication to advanced wastewater treatment that safeguards water quality while creating long-term value for the broader community. The addition of the water reclamation facility to our community creates an opportunity for future service to be available to portions of the City of Midway and parts of northeast Liberty County not currently served by publicly managed sewer service. It's important to note that connecting to the new service would be entirely voluntary for existing property owners currently using septic systems.

AN ADVANCED TREATMENT SYSTEM PROTECTS OUR WATERWAYS
Clean water is fundamental to economic development and quality of life for our community. Protecting our valuable water resources is one of the main reasons Liberty County deserves a modern wastewater treatment system. For years, local leaders have discussed adding a treatment facility. In 2009, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division conducted an intensive environmental review of a potential discharge into the Laurel View River. That review included scientific analysis of real-world conditions coupled with computer modeling and concluded the impact would be "de minimis" or insignificant given the amount of flow in the river and the quality of the water that will be discharged. Technology has continued to advance significantly. Modern membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems treat wastewater to near drinking water quality, making it possible for as much of the treated water as possible to be reused for irrigation and building cooling at Tradeport East and the Laurel View Properties development. This will conserve freshwater and support sustainable growth. Any remaining high-quality effluent will be discharged into the Laurel View River via a submerged diffused outfall.

Email your questions or concerns to [email protected].