Green Bay and Allouez Embark on $29 Million Sewer Infrastructure Renewal Project
GREEN BAY, Wis. – A substantial $29 million infrastructure project is currently underway in Green Bay and Allouez, aimed at modernizing aging underground sewer pipes that have been in continuous operation since the 1930s.
This critical initiative, spearheaded by NEW Water, will involve the restoration of approximately 13,000 feet of sanitary sewer and 25 manholes within and around the downtown Green Bay area. Additionally, the project will formally abandon 7,000 feet of the old East River Interceptor, which has been out of service since the 1970s.
Project Scope and NEW Water’s Leadership Role
Understanding NEW Water’s Mission
NEW Water, operating as the brand of the Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District, functions as a regional clean water utility. It extends wholesale services to 15 municipalities and serves over 239,000 residential and business customers.
The utility boasts significant operational scale, managing two treatment facilities, overseeing 78 miles of interceptors, maintaining 600 pumps, and monitoring 1,206 manholes. Last year alone, NEW Water successfully cleaned approximately 15 billion gallons of water for the community.
The Critical Need for Infrastructure Renewal
The interceptor pipes targeted for replacement are vital components of the wastewater system. These are large, deep sewer lines responsible for collecting wastewater from smaller neighborhood pipes and efficiently transporting it to the treatment plant.
With some of these pipes approaching a century in age, these significant improvements are absolutely necessary to ensure ongoing service reliability, safeguard public health, and protect the environment from potential failures.
Long-Term Investment and Funding Model
According to NEW Water, the Downtown Interceptors Renewal Project represents a substantial long-term investment designed to extend the system’s lifespan for future generations. It is also expected to significantly reduce the need for frequent maintenance interventions and ensure current service levels are maintained without disruption.
The funding for this comprehensive renewal project is derived from wholesale rates paid by municipal customers. This means that individual property owners will not be directly charged or assessed for the work, ensuring the cost is distributed through existing utility structures.
What Residents Can Expect During Construction
Construction activities will primarily occur within Green Bay city limits, with a smaller segment extending into the Village of Allouez. To mitigate ground-level disturbances in residential areas and parks, many of the construction methods employed will be “trenchless.”
Anticipated Disruptions and Mitigation Efforts
While efforts will be made to minimize inconvenience, residents situated near the work zones should anticipate a variety of temporary disruptions. These may include:
- Road and sidewalk closures
- Pedestrian and bike trail detours
- Limited driveway access
- Possible changes to local bus routes
- Temporary construction staging on private property
Crews are committed to actively working to minimize these impacts and will provide ongoing updates to affected residents throughout the duration of the project.
Project Timeline
The Downtown Interceptors Renewal Project is expected to reach completion by late 2026.
