Sewer

On 02/22/2021 the Prescott WWTP experienced an overflow sometime that evening which resulted in about 500 gallons of foam going onto the ground due to an illegal discharge from somewhere in the city. There was never any threat to human health but we are required by the Wisconsin DNR to report this to the public. The Public Works Dept. was able to use our vactor truck to suck up all the foam and put it back into the system for treatment. Any questions call 715-262-5207 Dennis Eaton Water/Wastewater Supervisor

The city owns and operates a wastewater collection and treatment facility. The city's wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) is located on the south side of the city and discharges treated waste water to the Mississippi River. Wastewater generated through the facility's service area is conveyed to the treatment facility through gravity sewer and 4 wastewater lift stations.

• St. Croix Bluffs Lift Station
  N. Pearl
  Installed 2004
• Dairy Queen Lift Station
  Highway 10
  Installed 1990
• Main Lift Station
  2nd St.
  Upgraded 1994
• South Lift Station
  Highway 35 S.
  Installed 1988

WWTF History

The original WWTF was constructed in 1970 and consisted of an extended aeration activated sludge package plant with chlorination and discharge to the Mississippi River. The WWTF was upgraded in 1995 to include:

• Addition of a 2nd package plant
• Biological (and chemical) phosphorous removal
• Preliminary treatment
• Sludge thickening and thickened sludge storage
• UV disinfection

The City of Prescott is 1 of 11 member owners of the West Central Wisconsin Biosolids Facility located in Ellsworth, Wisconsin. Waste sludge from the city's WWTF is sent to the Biosolids Facility for dewatering. Centrate water is received back from the Biosolids Facility and discharged into the septage receiving station and mixed with the influent waste water from the city.

WWTF Future

As of May 2010, the existing wastewater treatment facility was at approximately 72% of its design capacity. Since it typically takes several years between the initiation of planning and the start-up of new wastewater facilities, the city decided to begin the planning process in 2010. The city hired MSA Professional Services to evaluate alternatives for meeting the city's existing and future wastewater treatment needs. As the existing WWTF has limited space for expansion, the alternatives evaluated included upgrading the existing facilities, regional treatment, and building a new WWTF at a new site.

Based on future flows, loads, evaluation of the current system, effluent limits, evaluation of alternative sites, and cost, the City Council approved upgrading the existing package plant and adding a new aerobic digester on site. Upgrading the system will be dependent on the capacity of the current plant and is anticipated to start in 2014 or later.