Eldridge sewer plant operator Tony Rupe monitors flow at the city's South Slope treatment plant after its upgrade earlier this year.
The city, like all across Iowa, needed the upgrade to meet more stringent nitrogen and phosphorous discharge limits. Eldridge council members decided to upgrade and expand the plant at the same time to meet the new standards, and prepare Eldridge for growth.
The work included a new waste storage building, new blowers and more ultraviolet filters.
The city also shut down treatment at the Buttermilk Road lagoons, which will be used for storage during high flows. A new network of pipes and a lift station will carry waste to the South Slope plant.