“The City of Hutchinson’s Wastewater department shall strive to provide safe, affordable, quality service to our customers, protect and preserve the environment, while maintaining or exceeding all Federal and State regulations “

Department Overview

The Hutchinson Wastewater Facility was placed in service in 1988. In 2008 a major expansion was completed to accommodate community growth and industrial expansion. Designed to treat an average 3.67 million gallons per day (mgd) of wastewater, the facility will meet the wastewater treatment needs of the city through the year of 2028. The treatment facility has several features, which allow it to meet Hutchinson’s specific needs for variable flows, operational flexibility. Biological and Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) processes are used to remove impurities from the wastewater and achieve the required level of treatment. Influent flows are currently split in the preliminary treatment building and sent to the two separate treatment trains. Two-thirds of the flow is sent to the oxidation ditch/final clarifier process and the remaining flow is directed to the new MBR process. Wastewater collected from the city is pumped to screening and grit removal systems to remove plastics, rags, sand, and other larger objects in the raw wastewater that could damage the process equipment. During the recent expansion new rotary fine screens and a vortex grit chamber were added to remove finer screenings and grit before being sent to the more sensitive MBR process. The MBR system also eliminated the need to add additional clarifiers for separating the solids from the wastewater. The spaghetti like membranes filters out virtually all solids, bacteria, and viruses. During periods that exceed the maximum wet weather flow design of 9.62 mgd, the excess influent can be diverted to the flow equalization basin. Lined with high-density polyethylene plastic, this basin serves as a temporary storage reservoir for as much as two million gallons of wastewater. After a storm has passed, the wastewater can then be drawn from the basin for treatment as plant capacity becomes available. Oxygen is added to the wastewater in the two-oxidation ditches to help microorganisms consume organic wastes. There are two extended aeration units (each 377 feet long, 67 feet wide, and 12 feet deep) each containing 2.16 million gallons of wastewater. These are the largest municipal oxidation ditches of this type in the Midwest. Each is equipped with six rotating surface aerators to mix oxygen with the wastewater. In the MBR process wastewater is aerated in two aeration tanks before being transferred into the membrane tanks. Once in the membrane tanks the water is continuously aerated to achieve optimum mixing and to reduce fouling of the membranes. Chemical Phosphorus removal was also added during the expansion. The plant can remove greater than 90 percent of phosphorus that was previously discharged to the river. Before discharging the water to the South Fork of the Crow River, it is sent through an ultraviolet (uv) disinfection system where uv light is used to eliminate any remaining bacteria. To reduce safety and security concerns the old chlorine disinfection system was removed and replaced with uv disinfection. Excess activated sludge separated from the wastewater during the treatment process is pumped to one of two storage tanks for eventual dewatering. The two large sludge presses are used to obtain sludge cake suitable for fertilizing farmlands.

Bio-Solids Dryer Facility

The Bio-Solids Dryer Facility, an addition to the wastewater treatment plant, is another City initiative to improve efficiency while serving the growing needs of Hutchinson residents and businesses. The facility enhances bio-solids processing and provides the community with a “Class A” bio-solids to meet stringent federal standards and reduce disposal costs. Future additions to the facility can improve the end product from a soils enhancing material to a marketable fertilizer for residential, commercial and agricultural use. On the leading edge of municipal wastewater processing, the bio-solids dryer facility consists of:

The Facility and staff members received an “Award of Excellence” in 1991, for outstanding operation and maintenance of the water pollution facility.

Wastewater Operators are responsible for the operation of the equipment that cleans the water. The operators control the pumps, pipes, valves, engines, and generators that make wastewater treatment possible.

Mechanics repair the motors, pumps and valves that represent the inner workings of the treatment facility. They also regularly inspect the equipment, and perform preventive maintenance work to avoid break downs.

Laboratory Technicians are the first people involved in testing the quality of the treated water. They perform routine chemical, biological, and physical analyses of the raw and treated wastewater, sludge and continually monitor the process.

Bio-Solids Award

Collection System

Hutchinson’s Sanitary sewer system consists of 75 miles of pipe, with 12 lift stations. Fifty percent of the city lines are cleaned each year with a high pressure-jetting machine. Our closed circuit television camera allows us to inspect the sewer main for structural deficiencies that could cause ground water to enter the collection system. The sewage is treated at the wastewater treatment facility and discharged to the South Fork of the Crow River.

Contact Us

Sewer Backup 320-234-4492 or 320-234-4233
After Hours Emergency 320-587-2242
Facility Office Phone: (320) 234-4233
Facility Fax: (320) 234-7485

If your sewer backs up, contact the Sewer department prior to calling your plumber. We will check to see if the city section of the sewer is clear. If there is further blockage, the city has video camera available to check your service line for any problem areas. There is a $50 fee for this service.

Please call the Wastewater Treatment Facility at (320)-234-4492 or (320)-234-4233, 7am to 5 pm., if this is an emergency after 5 pm, you may call (320)587-2242.

City of Hutchinson Wastewater Rates

Click on this link to view Monthly Wastewater Base and Usage Rates.

South Area Trunk Sanitary Sewer

The south area trunk sanitary sewer, constructed in 2002 provides Hutchinson with efficient, long-term service to the growing southwest sector of the community, including the T.H. 15 commercial corridor, as well as residential development in the area. The facility will also provide service to the T.H. 22 bypass area in the southeast area of the city.

The facilities include:

1. Lift station near the H.A.T.S. facility
2. Crossing of the South Fork of the Crow River to Jefferson Street
3. Sewer extension to the commercial area along T.H. 15
4. Sewer extension to the T.H. 22 bypass corridor

The lift station is designed to accommodate the ultimate flows from the proposed service area, but will initially include pumping equipment to handle the flows for the first years of operation. Future pump additions/upgrades are sized to minimize capital costs and will occur as development continues.