Western Wake Regional Wastewater Management Facilities

Quarterly Project Newsletter

View the Winter edition of the Partners' quarterly newsletter. The purpose of the newsletter is to inform our neighbors of ongoing and upcoming construction activity.

if you received the newsletter by mail and would like to opt-out of receiving future editions, or would like to request future editions by electronic receipt, please email the Partners at: info@westernwakepartners.com

USACE approves Buffer Declaration and accepts Planting Plan

The design for the Western Wake Regional Water Reclamation Facility includes a 200-foot vegetated buffer around the perimeter. The buffer will provide a visual screen and assurance of physical separation between the WRF facilities and our neighbors. EPA strongly supported it. This buffer in conjunction with other design elements of the project was specifically included to minimize impacts to those living closest to the facility. Read More

The Best Environmental and Economical Solution to Meet the Region's Increasing Capacity Needs

Ensuring adequate water and wastewater treatment capacity are in place while protecting the environment is the responsibility/challenge for governments. Read full story.

Effluent Pipeline

FAQ's About the Effluent Pipeline

Utility Easements

Information for Property Owners with Utility Easements

Apex Water & Sewer Policy

Fact Sheet and Implementation Policy

Fact Sheet for Residents Outside the Census Block.

Best Practices in Design & Operations

The proposed Western Wake Regional Wastewater Management Facilities are being designed using state-of-the-art technology, best practices, and lessons learned from construction and operations of facilities currently in service. In addition, design and operations will adhere to regulatory requirements and community ordinances in order to minimize any impact to surrounding residents and the environment. Potential impacts both during construction (temporary) and after the facilities are operational (permanent), such as aesthetic and visual impacts and light spill, noise, odor, and traffic will be addressed using best practices and technology as outlined below:

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Community

Communities are often concerned that a construction project will change neighboring residents’ view of the skyline or the view from their front or backyards. Neighbors are also often concerned about light spill from a facility. The proposed project is designed to minimize visual and aesthetic impacts and light spill. The Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) will be located near the center of the property in order to maximize the separation between the facilities and adjacent roadways and properties. Most of the buildings will not be taller than tree level and exterior colors will be neutral. In order to conform to community site development requirements and minimize light spill, task lighting at specific WRF components will be directed toward the task and will have a limited illumination span. Only lights required for safety and security will remain lit all night. In addition, approximately 1,500 feet of separation is planned between the preliminary treatment facility and the closest existing residence. A 200-foot mostly-forested perimeter buffer will separate the WRF facilities and the property boundary. Temporary visual and aesthetic impacts during construction include tree clearing, installation of the facilities, and restoration of the construction site. No temporary light-spill impacts to the community are expected because construction activities will be restricted to daytime hours as allowed by community ordinances.

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Noise

Noise

Neighbors may be concerned that the proposed project will create noise pollution. The proposed design for the WRF meets community noise-level ordinance requirements (70 decibels between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM and 65 decibels between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM). All fixed sources of operational noise will be located at least 300 feet from the WRF property boundary, maximizing the separation between adjacent roadways and properties. In addition, equipment in the blower building will be fitted with sound reduction devices and mufflers. Emergency generators, which will produce noise during power failures and periodic testing, will also have state-of-the-art sound reduction features. With these features in place, a neighbor should not be able to hear noise from the blowers at the WRF. Temporary noise impacts to the community due to construction activities include increased truck traffic and commonly used mechanical equipment for grading and construction.

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Odor

Odor

Migrating odors from a treatment facility and its pipelines are the source of most neighbors? concerns and are often the most difficult to diagnose and address. The Partners are committed to controlling odors by using design and operational best practices to prevent them. The WRF will be designed with state-of-the-art technology, which focuses on treatment units with the greatest potential to prevent or reduce odors. In addition, ensuring proper operation of the WRF and its odor control facilities will minimize the formation of odors. Staff will be trained to detect and prevent odors and will monitor the WRF for odors around the clock. The odor impacts to the community are expected to be minimal because of the designs? preventative approach, the proposed central location of the WRF and the mostly-forested buffer, which can act as a natural filter and will provide the maximum separation between the facility and the nearest adjacent property. Temporary odor impacts during construction are expected to be minimal and typical of construction odors, not the types associated with a WRF.

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Traffic

Traffic

Construction of a large project adds to the daily traffic flow in areas surrounding the construction site. Neighbors and nearby residents are often concerned that the construction traffic will affect their daily routines or create hazardous conditions. The Partners have taken a proactive approach to minimizing the impact to WRF neighbors by requiring contractors and all other construction-related traffic to use preferred routes that avoid higher-traffic and more populated areas as much as practical. Initially approximately 25 employees will work at the WRF once it is operational and 35 employees during Phase 2. Onsite parking will be available at the WRF and parking will not cause traffic interference. Temporary traffic impacts to the community include truck traffic associated with construction.

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