The City of Orrville�s Wastewater Department issued its first connection permit on November 21, 1908. The original treatment plant was utilized until 1951 when a new treatment facility was constructed at our current location. Major renovations and additions occurred in 1967 and 1989. The recent replacement of several major pieces of equipment and on-going preventative maintenance make expansions in the immediate future unlikely.
Orrville, as a relatively small community, is challenged because it must deal with most of the same programs, on a smaller scale, as the largest of Ohio cities.
The staff works together to evaluate ways to improve treatment processes, as well as, reduce maintenance requirements and energy costs. Orrville�s City and Utility Administration fully support efforts by the staff to improve.
Primary goals of the department are to provide residents and businesses with efficient wastewater collection and treatment services and to be able to accommodate new businesses that may choose to locate here.
Staff
The wastewater department has 9 full time employees. There are 7 certified operators, 1 maintenance person and 1 clerical person. These employees take care of the collection system, lab duties and plant operations.
Collection System
Orrville�s collection system is not a combined storm/sanitary system. The system does, however, receive additional flows during extended rain periods. Excess flow is stored in one of our 3 Equalization basins for treatment later. Orrville�s collection system consists of over 42 miles of underground pipe ranging from 8 to 42 inches in diameter. There are 3 Lift Stations, all monitored via fiber optics.
Solids Handling System
Two anaerobic digesters, operating in series, treat solids produced at our facility. Each fifty foot digester has a 265,000 gallon capacity. The primary digester is heated by a natural gas and methane fired hot water boiler. After gravity thickening, Class B sludges are applied to City and privately owned agricultural fields, by a private contractor.
