WEIRTON — A project to double the capacity of Weirton’s wastewater treatment plant is approximately three-quarters of the way to completion.

As part of Thursday’s meeting of the Weirton Sanitary Board, officials reported the $37 million project, contracted to Triton Construction with the goal of expanding the plant’s treatment capacity from its current 4 million gallons per day capacity to 8 million gallons per day, stands at 73.4% completion based on the contract amount and 74.6% completion based on the budget expended.

“They had a very active month,” noted Jesse Alden of the Thrasher Group. “There’s a lot of work still to do.”

Progress during the last month has included removing the existing ultraviolet disinfection unit and beginning installation of the new UV unit, removal of approximately 75% of sheetpile shoring around the sequencing batch reactor basins, installation of new exterior stairs, railings and walkways at the new headworks building.

In addition, subcontractor Summit Electric has been installing and upgrading various electrical and control components.

Under the contract, Triton Construction had anticipated substantial completion of the project to be set for Oct. 6, with a final payment by Nov. 5; however, as discussed by the board last month, and confirmed today, disruptions in international supply chains has resulted in the shipment of some parts being delayed.

“They’re going to be asking for some additional time,” Alden said, noting current estimates now slate the project to be completed by the end of 2025.

The total cost of the project, awarded to Triton in February 2024, has been contracted at $37,337,094.11, with a $1,860,650.56 contingency fund.

As a result of change orders, the contingency fund currently stands at $1,736,556.45.

Planning began in January 2019 after city officials were notified of interest by a large manufacturing company, which eventually went elsewhere, to locate an operation in Weirton.

The wastewater treatment plant originally was built in the 1960s, with officials noting an expansion in capacity would be needed to properly serve any new development in Weirton.

In a related matter, the Sanitary Board approved a pretreatment ordinance, which is required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for any treatment plants with more than 5 million gallons per day in treatment capacity.

“The EPA sets the guidelines,” explained staff member Mike Fields, who worked to develop the ordinance based on language provided by the EPA, as well as existing ordinances for Morgantown and Wheeling.

Utilities Director A.D. “Butch” Mastrantoni noted the ordinance still must be approved by Weirton Council before going into effect.