More than 100 expansion or modernisation projects are launched each month in the US municipal wastewater treatment sector, which includes approximately 16,000 plants, according to the McIlvaine Company online database (www.mcilvainecompany.com)
Capital needs for these plants will average close to US$ 10b per year over the next decade. The 4,000 large plants with flows exceeding one million gallons per day will make about 80% of these expenditures.
Expanding populations call for the equivalent of 320 new plants each year. Significant investments are being made to bring communities into compliance with secondary treatment requirements. The disposal of biosolids requires investment dollars, and odour control investment has grown at double-digit rates now that many municipalities are responding to neighbourhood complaints.
California ranks first with the largest number of projects in design or construction. Lodi City is seeking US$ 30m for plant expansion. Crescent City approved a contract, which will provide a plan for improvements for the next 20 years. Following California in terms of municipal wastewater treatment plant project activity are the US states of Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
