Oak Ridge breaks ground on new water treatment plant

Officials with the city of Oak Ridge have broken ground on a new water treatment plant that will replace the existing 1943 facility originally owned and operated by the U.S. Department of Energy. The plant was ceded to the city in 2000, but its age and the growing needs of the community have put the plant at capacity. A new ultrafiltration membrane drink water treatment plant will be built with the ability to treat up to 12 million gallons of water per day, meeting the needs of both Oak Ridge and the Department of Energy, which it will serve. The $78.3 million plant is being funded through the State of Tennessee Revolving Loan Fund and Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). Located on Pumphouse Road, the plant is expected to be operational by Spring 2025.