WCWSA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant

MRB Group partnered with the Wayne County Water and Sewer Authority (WCWSA) and four local communities—the Village of Palmyra, and the Towns of Marion, Walworth, and Macedon—to plan and design a modern, shared wastewater treatment system.

Each community originally explored upgrading its own aging wastewater treatment facilities. However, those individual improvements would have been costly and less efficient over time. By working together, the municipalities identified a regional solution that is more cost-effective, reliable, and better suited to meet future needs.

A Regional Approach

The project centers around a new 3.0 million gallons per day (MGD) Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, located at the site of the previous facility in the Village of Palmyra. This plant will serve all four communities, replacing several older facilities.

What the Project Includes

To support the new regional system, several improvements are being made across the participating towns:

• Retiring older treatment plants in Marion, Macedon, Walworth, and Palmyra, including cleanup and site preparation for future use.
• Upgrading key infrastructure in each community, such as:
  • New or improved screening systems to remove debris from wastewater
  • Pump stations to move wastewater efficiently
  • New underground pipelines (“force mains”) that carry wastewater to the new regional plant

In some locations, existing structures are being reused in smart ways—for example, tanks in Walworth will help balance flows during peak times.

Features of the New Regional Facility

The new treatment plant in Palmyra will use advanced technology to provide high-quality wastewater treatment. Major features include:

• Systems to reduce odors and manage incoming wastewater during peak flows
• Equipment to remove debris and grit before treatment begins
• Modern biological treatment tanks that clean the water effectively
• Advanced filtration and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection, ensuring treated water is safe before being returned to the environment
• Facilities to process and reduce solids (sludge), including:
  • Dewatering equipment to remove excess water
  • A specialized drying system that produces Class A biosolids, which can be safely reused for beneficial purposes
• A dedicated area for handling septage (waste from septic systems) with odor control
• Fully modern mechanical, electrical, and control systems to ensure safe, efficient operation

Collaboration and Cost Savings

To make this regional project possible, the communities and WCWSA entered into an Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA). This agreement allows them to share costs, coordinate planning, and access grants and funding opportunities.

By working together, the communities will benefit from lower sewer rates for residents and businesses compared to upgrading and operating separate facilities. The new system is also designed to handle future growth, ensuring long-term reliability for the region.

Big Idea

Unite four communities under one modern wastewater treatment system to improve efficiency, reduce long-term costs, and provide reliable service for future generations.