AWWA INF55780

This paper describes an extensive wastewater master plan study by the City of Wilmington, North Carolina, and New Hanover County that determined treatment and disposal needs of wastewater for the area through the year 2020. The elements of the master plan were: a determination of current and projected wastewater flows and loadings; projections of population growth and development in the area; and, detailed investigations of the City's two wastewater treatment plants, including City and County wastewater conveyance and collection systems. The upgrade and expansion that has been designed for the Northside WWTP includes: increasing capacity to 16 MGD; improving disinfection, filtration, and other treatment processes; employing odor control; and, converting from chlorination to UV disinfection. The City and County, anticipating concern from the public over water quality and other issues, embarked on a public education campaign. This paper outlines the assumptions that went into the initial plan for public education, and how the plan changed as needs and concerns were defined throughout the process.