New Wastewater Treatment Plant More Efficient

A new, $277-million wastewater treatment plant starting up this week uses new technology that will allow Gwinnett Department of Water Resources officials to shut down six older, smaller plants that are much less efficient, according to an announcement by the department.

The new plant is located on the Yellow River off Tom Smith Road between Lilburn and Lawrenceville. It’s on the same site as an older plant that it will replace.

“The new Yellow River Water Reclamation Facility uses membrane bio-reactor technology and is the first of its kind in Gwinnett,” said Acting Water Resources Director Lynn Smarr. 

The Yellow River plant can treat 22 million gallons per day, but it takes up less space than the 12 mgd, 1970s technology it replaces. “The (new) technology has been around for several years, but we let others pilot the technology until we were sure it was cost effective and would meet our state and federal permit requirements,” Smarr said. 

The new plant will reduce the amount of pollutants going into the Yellow River and the costs for chemicals and operating personnel. The project includes a Silver LEED-certified administration building.

The plants that will close include the old Yellow River facility along with the Big Haynes Creek, Jacks Creek, No Business Creek, Beaver Ruin and Jackson Creek plants.