Wakarusa Water Reclamation Facility

Public Meeting #1: November 3, 2005
Community Survey Results

1. Wastewater treatment plants treat collected wastewater while reclamation facilities treat collected wastewater and provide a beneficial reuse of a portion of the waste products. Reuse of waste products can translate into community amenities such as wetlands and ponds. In additional, a buffer area is required around the plant and can include walking trails, green space, or other features.

a. Of these amenities, which two (2) do you prefer?

• i. Wetlands --> 9 responses
• ii. Ponds --> 1 Response
• iii. Walking/bike trails --> 8 Responses
• iv. Green space --> 10 Responses
• v. Do you have any additional suggestions?
• Public uses of the buffer will depend on odor control. The finest amenities that you can build will not be used if the odor keeps people away.
• Demonstration digester similar to the one at Audubon's Corkscrew Sanctuary in the FL Everglades. Port Aransas, Texas wetlands are a great place to go birding.
• Gray water lines.
• Wild life habitat, accessible to public but only if this does not increase cost.
• Walking trails through wetlands are great if we're not seeing and smelling a treatment plant.
• Golf course.

2. Planning for the new water reclamation facility includes identifying the factors which affect public acceptability and appearance. Typical concerns include odors, aesthetics, noise, site lighting, and traffic.

a. Of these factors, which concern you the most?

• i. Control of odors --> 13 Responses
• ii. Aesthetics/Architectural character --> 7 Responses
• iii. Control of noise --> 4 Responses
• iv. Control of plant and site lighting --> 3 Responses
• v. Impact of truck traffic --> 7 Responses
• vi. Others?
• If the plant is located on a major road that is used as an entrance to the city, it would be important for it to be invisible and the smell undetectable to visitors who are getting an initial impression of the City of Lawrence.
• Energy efficiency - the facility needs to be the poster child of "green" design that does not emit carbon by using nonrenewable energy.
• Wildlife protection (displacement is possible).
• Compatibility with character of area and future land uses.

3. Are you willing to pay more in wastewater rates to provide amenities that draw the public to the facility and require additional odor control measures?

• Responses --> Yes 12
• Additional Comments
• Odor control
• Depending on % increase in cost
• Responses --> No 4
• Additional Comments
• Drawing the public to the facility

4. Additional comments:

• If additional "payments" were clearly justified by amenities that fulfilled a community need that would otherwise occur at another location…This would legitimize "paying more".
• If the population increase is as predicted, we will need another golf course for the public.