The city of Columbus is investing $90 million in improvements at its Jackson Pike Wastewater Treatment Plant that will result in fewer sewer overflows and basement backups, and cleaner waterways.
The Jackson Pike upgrades, combined with those at the city’s Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant, will increase treatment capacity by 50 percent during heavy rains. On Sept. 30, Mayor Michael B. Coleman and City Council Members announced the Jackson Pike plant improvements currently under construction as part of the $2.5 billion in Ohio EPA mandated projects in the Wet Weather Management Plan. The Jackson Pike plant sits on the site of the city’s first wastewater treatment plant built 100 years ago.
"Columbus’ $2.5 billion investment takes the next step in our commitment to being a national leader in wastewater treatment and making our city healthier and greener," said Coleman. "While we move forward on these critical projects we are working hard to keep rates as low as possible and advocate a federal partnership that will relieve some of the burden on our ratepayers."
Construction of the current Jackson Pike plant began in 1934 and became operational in 1937, replacing The Improved Sewage Works plant constructed in 1908 at the same location. The Jackson Pike plant has undergone many improvements over the last 71 years to meet the needs of a growing Columbus. The current upgrades will expand the plant’s treatment capacity from 100 million gallons of water a day to up to 150 million gallons a day.
"Columbus’ ability to prosper in the coming decades is directly connected to our commitment to ensuring clean and safe waterways for future generations," said Public Utilities Committee Chair Andrew Ginther. "The Jackson Pike facility is an industry leader in the field of wastewater treatment and their stewardship of the environment and care for our streams and rivers should be a point of pride for Columbus residents."
Jackson Pike wastewater facts
The city of Columbus is investing $90 million to upgrade the Jackson Pike Wastewater Treatment plant. Projects include:
•$64 million expansion will increase peak treatment capacity by 50 percent from up to 100 million gallons a day to up to 150 million gallons a day using "smart" machines and less energy
•$17 million new effluent pump station and disinfection process improvements that will result in cleaner treated water and, in turn, a cleaner Scioto River
•$6 million for floatable concentration machines that will provide more cost effective operation of the plant’s biological treatment process
