Do you ever wonder where everything flushed away ends up? The City of Newcastle is on a mission to make that journey significantly more eco-friendly and efficient.
With plans underway, the city is gearing up to construct a state-of-theart wastewater treatment plant.
To celebrate this multi-million dollar facility, a groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. November 13 at the site of the new plant at N.E. 16th Street and Portland Avenue.
City spokesperson Scott Hannan said this innovative facility is set to redefine “waste not, want not” by transforming everyday “by-products” into environmentally-friendly discharges.
As Newcastle’s population and infrastructure grow, so do its needs. The upcoming facility is not merely about managing what’s out of sight; it’s a strategic move to equip the city for decades to come.
The new plant will employ a stateof-the-art system that processes those “biological nutrients” (yes, we’re talking about the stuff from our toilets) into cleaner water, Hannan said.
“After touring various systems, we realized this technology is top-tier in giving wastewater a fresh start. It’s efficient, low-maintenance, and truly sets a benchmark for wastewater treatment,” said Kevin Self, Newcastle city manager.
With the expertise of the Wall Engineering Firm of Durant, and the skilled hands of Wynn Construction Company of Oklahoma City, the City is confident this project will set a high standard, Hannan said.
Mayor Karl Nail said, “At the core of Newcastle are its people. With the new wastewater plant, we’re not just building infrastructure; we’re investing in our community’s everyday well-being and future. It’s all about service and reliability.”
With support from Oklahoma Water Resources Board and a projected timeline of approximately two years, City leaders say updates on the project’s progress will be regularly shared.
Cost of the new Wastewater Treatment Plant is projected at $52 million. The funding for this facility is in place through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, as well as money that the City Council has set aside. Nail said some additional monies might be available for the facility. If so, the total amount the City will pay would be less.
