The chosen firm (FIRM) will produce a 20-year plan for the plant beyond the current planned Phase 1 improvements. This could be broken down into several phases. This project will require the firm to evaluate the entire plant for further upgrades that are needed beyond Phase 1 to make the plant even more reliable and efficient. The firm will also make recommendations regarding future expansions needed to keep pace with population and service area growth trends beyond the current Phase 1 improvements. The firm will reference Aiken County’s Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) grant and produce a report based on the elements of the grant. This will include an evaluation of long-term regional wastewater treatment plant needs and recommendations for optimal technical, financial, managerial, and operational capabilities and compliance with environmental regulations. The analysis and recommendations must include potential regional solutions to address regulatory compliance, treatment capacity, financial viability, growth and economic opportunities. Finally, the firm will produce a report with an integrated timeline that shows the investment needed in the plant and future expansions, including an estimated cost for each element.
