More about the Kinston plant

Today I received more information on the Kinston Regional Water Reclamation Facility. The Kinston plant has a capacity of 11.85 million gallons per day. They have planted 3 acres of trees to spray a portion of their reclaimed water on. The rest is discharged into the Neuse River. They have purchased more land to plant more trees on and are just waiting on plan approval to begin planting trees and discharging the rest of their water. They hope to be finished by the end of 2009. Their system uses ultraviolet light instead of chemicals, and produces reclaimed water that is actually cleaner than surface water being used before it is treated. Not only is the reclaimed water suitable for class b reuse, it is only a couple of steps from potable quality. At present they could sell the class b water for some uses, and when they are producing potable water it could be sold also.
Their biosolids are currently being applied to farm land. They are hoping to have a feasibility study on composting completed in the near future. The compost and/or class b biosolids can be sold in order to alleviate some of the cost of their system.
The plant took about 6 years from conception to completion, with about 2.5 years of actual construction. The total cost was just under $50,000,000.
Compare this information to the Beaufort Plant in the areas of gallons per day, cost, reuse capabilities, reuse plans, environmental impact, and upgrade possibilities. It seems to me not only did Beaufort make not such a great deal, they did it with money they borrowed in the name of the Citizen of Beaufort, and it looks like they will have to do it again. At least when they bring the plant to full capacity and have to build a new plant to keep up with growth, they have a model to go by. All they will have to do is raise rates, borrow money, and find a river to dump the treated water into. With this in mind; be sure to keep the same people in office that are there now. The have experience at those things and know how to save working time by avoiding annoying citizens with bothersome questions. They make a person proud. Don't you agree.

Clammerhead