Grand Rapids received more than $1 million in a federal grant to upgrade the UV disinfection system at the Water Resource Recovery Facility.
James Ootz is the Environmental Services Manager.
“Every single day our team treats 40 million gallons of wastewater before its safely returned to the environment.”
Funds will be used to modernize and strengthen the system, improving reliability, increasing treatment capacity during peak weather events, and enhancing energy efficiency.
“Ultraviolet or UV disinfection uses light energy to inactivate bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms without the use of additional chemicals. It’s a clean, effective and environmentally friendly technology.”
U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten of Grand Rapids secured the grant in community project funding, stating the investment will protect public health, and help safeguard the Grand River and Lake Michigan for future generations.
“When we invest in critical infrastructure, like this, we're investing in the long-term success of our region as a whole. This water treatment facility is not just any other water treatment facility. It sits in the watershed of one of the largest freshwater ecosystems in the entire world. We have an incredible responsibility to protect it in the right way.”
The overall project cost is close to $6 million and is expected to be fully operational in 1-2 years.
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