Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District upgrades Pumping Station 15 with community in mind

Public restrooms, an aquatic invasive species boat wash station and bike repair area are now open to the public at Marshall Park as part of a larger effort by Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District to meet community infrastructure needs.

MADISON, WI, JULY 6, 2017 -- New public restrooms, an aquatic invasive species boat wash station and bike repair area opened at Marshall Park on Saturday, July 1 as part of a larger project by Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District to upgrade the district's Pumping Station 15.

The $4.3 million project reflects the district's ongoing efforts to meet infrastructure needs of the communities it serves while putting conservation practices in action. Preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species and encouraging clean modes of transportation are among many steps that will help maintain or improve surface water quality in the region and avoid costly upgrades to the district's conveyance and treatment facilities.

"Our lakes, rivers and streams are fundamental to our quality of life and the region’s thriving economy," said Michael Mucha, chief engineer and director of Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District. "Sensible land use practices, wise use of salt for streets and softeners, reducing runoff and preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species all make a real difference. By making even small changes today, we are supporting public health, recreational opportunities and affordable municipal services now and for future generations."

Pumping Station 15 provides service to Middleton including growing areas such as Bishops Bay and much of the Town of Westport. Built in 1974, the station collects and pumps some 1.3 million gallons of wastewater per day up to University Avenue where it continues its journey to the district’s treatment plant.

The need to replace the 40-plus year old pumps and prepare for future capacity led the district to engage with local leaders, community members and other stakeholders to get feedback on how the construction project could also address other needs at the site. The location, between the City of Madison’s Marshall Park boat ramp and the heavily used City of Middleton bike path along Allen Boulevard, prompted the decision to add public restrooms, two aquatic invasive species boat wash hydrants and a bike repair station, said Jen Hurlebaus, Madison Metropolitan Sewerage district project engineer.

The aquatic invasive species boat wash station will be put into service on Saturday as part of the Dane County Invasive Species Landing Blitz.

Special design features of the site include permeable pavers, carefully sloped asphalt in the parking lot to direct storm runoff away from the lake and a bio-retention pond to catch water used at the boat washing station.

While the public portion of Pumping Station 15 will open in time for the busy weekend prior to July 4, the district’s pumping station infrastructure will not be completed until the end of the year. The project includes a new above-ground equipment building, work on the underground pump room and wet well, replacement of the HVAC, electrical and monitoring systems and installation of the new pumps. Construction started in June 2016.

Upon opening, ownership and ongoing maintenance of the restroom and public facilities will be transferred from the district to the City of Madison with ongoing support from Madison Parks. Other partners in the project include:

The City of Middleton, which is supplying the water to the facilities;

Saris Cycling Group, Fitchburg, which supplied bike racks and a repair station; and

Dane County Office of Lakes and Watersheds, which has agreed to provide volunteers for aquatic invasive species outreach events including the Dane County Invasive Species Landing Blitz on Saturday (July 1). Aquatic invasive species can degrade water quality by increasing turbidity, concentrating toxins, reducing dissolved oxygen levels and altering the food web.

For more on the project, visit the district’s website at www.madsewer.org and search “Pumping Station 15.”

ABOUT MMSD
Established in 1930 to protect the lakes and streams of the upper Yahara watershed, Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District today serves 28 Madison area customer communities covering some 360,000 people. The district owns and operates 95 miles of gravity sewer and 18 regional pumping stations that convey approximately 41 million gallons of wastewater to the Nine Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant each day. Organized as a municipal corporation, the district is a leader in sustainability and resource reclamation; its rates are established by the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District Commission.