Project Overview

The city uses a lime softening treatment to remove dissolved minerals prior to disinfecting and filtering drinking water. A by-product of this process are lime residuals, most of which are captured at the water treatment plant and hauled off-site for use on agricultural land.

However, some lime must be piped to the lime residuals lagoon (located to the west of Wines Elementary School, south of M-14) during maintenance activities or emergencies.

This lime lagoon is nearly full and storage space is needed. The lagoon is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environmental, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and the city is responsibility for monitoring and maintaining the lagoon in accordance with permits and regulation issued by the EGLE.

Jan. 5, 2026

Phase 1 (Contract No. 1) Site Modifications

  • Site modifications at the WTP are complete.
  • Remaining Site Modifications at the Lagoon site include:
    • Clearing along the south and west boundary of the lagoon
    • Entrance Gate Modifications

Phase 2 (Contract No. 2) Dredging and Hauling

  • On track to begin in Spring 2026 as scheduled. Work will continue into Fall 2026.
    • Temporary No Parking signs were placed along Sunset Rd for Phase 1 and are now covered until work resumes.
    • Additional sidewalk work is not anticipated, but there will be increased truck traffic through the gates to the Visitor’s Parking Lot off Sunset Rd.
    • Traffic control measures will be in place and hauling will be limited during school drop-off and pick-up times.

Oct. 24, 2025

Fonson Company will begin the WTP site and the lime residual lagoon site modifications on October 27, 2025 with anticipated completion in Mid-December.

Important Notes and Reminders:

  • There will be a temporary closure of the sidewalk in front of Water Treatment Plant. Pedestrian detour route will be: Pomona to Red Oak to Vesper to Brooks. There is no sidewalk on north side of Sunset Road
  • Cyclists and pedestrians who normally use Sunset Road are advised to follow detour and use caution in the area of the Water Treatment Plant.
  • No impacts to AAPS bus schedule or The Ride are anticipated. For information regarding bus service changes and detours from The Ride, and to sign up to alerts, please visit their Rider Alerts website.

Work to be done

  • Excavate/dredge accumulated material in lime residuals lagoon
  • Pump to water treatment plant to be dewatered on-site
  • Trucks will haul away dewatered material
  • Clean up of roads along hauling route as necessary

Truck hauling route

  • Residuals will be dewatered at the water treatment plant, located at 919 Sunset Road
  • Trucks will haul material away using Sunset, to Newport, to Miller, to Maple.
  • Noise generated from the dewatering press equipment at the water treatment plant, dredging/excavation equipment and generator and trucking operations.
  • Some traffic congestion due to the trucks entering and exiting the site.
  • Dust may be produced by vehicles
  • Because of the increased truck traffic, pedestrians and cyclists should exercise extra caution when traveling near the water treatment plant.

Lime Residuals Removal Project Informational Video