GOMESA Application Details

Internal Project Number: 271377
1. Title of Project: North and South Gulfport WWTPs Improvements
2. Location of Project: North Gulfport WWTP: 30°26'18"N 89°03'33"W Northeast of the intersection between Seaway Road and Larkin Smith Drive in Gulfport, MS South Gulfport WWTP: 30°25'17"N 89°03'43"W Northeast of the intersection between Washington Avenue and Rippy Road in Gulfport
3. Requesting Organization: Harrison County Utility Authority (HCUA)
4a. Name: John Wilson, P.E.
4b. Position
4c. Phone Number: 228-868-8752
4d. Fax Number
4e. Address Line 1: 10271 Express Drive
4e. Address Line 2
4e. City, State Zip: Gulfport, Mississippi
4f. Email: JWilson@HCUA-MS.US
5. FundingRequested: $1,800,000
Awarded Amount:
6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources: No
7a. Amount of Additional Funds
7b. Source of Additional Funds
8. Total Project Funds Amount: $1,800,000
9. Project Description/Overview: This Utility Authority has a need for advanced biological process modeling of its North Gulfport WWTP to support long-term consolidation of the City's wastewater system. Currently, the City operates two WWTPs (North and South), both of which are nearing operational and regulatory limits, particularly during wet weather events. The South Plant lacks the spatial capabilities for long-term expansion and will be transitioned into a pump station, with its influent redirected to the North Plant for treatment. A Phase II Master Plan was developed for the Harrison County Utility Authority with recommendation to absorb the South Plant into the North Plant to operate as a singular, modernized facility. The City of Gulfport and Harrison County Utility Authority are currently investing more than $30 million dollars into the North Gulfport WWTP to construct additional treatment capacity through a new filter basin and headworks to accommodate the combined system flow from the South Plant. However, significant process modifications are still required to ensure reliable treatment, nutrient removal, and compliance with increasingly stringent discharge requirements. This project will consist of advanced BioWin modeling, supported by industry-leading expert resources and trained staff, to develop a comprehensive plan for upgrading the North Plant. By consolidating treatment into a single, modernized facility, the project will improve efficiency and reliability, reduce operational costs, protect Bayou Bernard and its adjacent wetlands from nutrient and solids pollution, and expand the City's capacity to serve residents and support sustainable development through 2045.
10. Project Goals/Objectives: 1. Develop a comprehensive process model of the North WWTP using BioWin software, providing a clear technical road map for system consolidation and long-term upgrades. 2. Evaluate and design biological process improvements that incorporate modern nutrient removal strategies (nitrogen and phosphorous) to ensure compliance with current and future regulatory requirements, while reducing environmental impacts to Bayou Bernard and adjacent wetlands by improving effluent water quality and protecting sensitive habitats. 3. Plan the transition of the South Plant into a pump station, optimizing the current setup and eliminating the need for costly expansions at multiple sites. 4. Lower operational and maintenance costs by consolidating facilities, modernizing treatment processes, and reducing operator burden. 5. Strengthen resiliency and reliability of the City's wastewater treatment system, reducing risks of permit violations and sanitary sewer overflows into sensitive surrounding areas. 6. Promote growth and economic development by ensuring wastewater infrastructure can accommodate future flows.
11. Which of the following authorized uses set forth in the GOMESA Act does this project fall under?

(A) Projects and activities for the purpose of coastal protection, including conservation, coastal restoration, hurricane protection, and infrastructure directly affected by coastal wetlands losses: Yes: While this project is primarily focused on wastewater treatment modeling, it directly supports long-term infrastructure improvements that protect adjacent wetlands and coastal ecosystems. By creating a road map to modernize biological treatment and reduce harmful nutrient discharges, the project addresses and sets forth improvements to the effluent water quality (a primary driver of wetland degradation) of two wastewater treatment plants that drain to Bernard Bayou.

(B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.: Yes: This project directly supports the protection of fish, wildlife, and natural resources by planning for significant improvements in effluent water quality, by setting forth a road map to eliminate the need for the South Plant NPDES and strengthening the biological processes for the North Plant. Both existing plants have become outdated and are increasingly at risk for overflows, leading to excess nitrogen and phosphorous entering Bayou Bernard. This nutrient loading threatens aquatic life and degrades habitats. By modeling advanced biological nutrient removal and consolidating treatment into a single modernized facility, the project provides the technical foundation to mitigate impacts to sensitive aquatic ecosystems and wildlife.

(C) Implementation of a federally-approved marine, coastal, or conservation management plan.

(D) Mitigation of the impact of Outer Continental Shelf activities through funding of onshore infrastructure projects.

12. Project Timetable/Milestones: Begin BioWin model for consolidation of South and North Plant - July 2026 Finalize BioWin model of the North Plant - December 2026 Deliver Final Report and Engineer Recommendations - April 2027
13. Project Timing: Short-term
14. Current status of architectural/engineering plans & specifications for this project (if applicable):: In Progress Funds Not Budgeted

15. In what way does this project meet the goals and objectives of the Department of Marine Resources, which includes enhancing, protecting and conserving the marine interest of Mississippi for present and future generations?: The project directly supports the goals and objectives of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources by protecting the State's aquatic environments by ensuring cleaner, healthier water reaches our coastal and wetland ecosystem. The City's two wastewater treatment plants are aging and no longer equipped with the biological processes needed to remove nutrients and pollutants, in the form of nitrogen and phosphorous, to modern standards. As a result, the risk of overflows and discharge of effluent detrimental to the aquatic life continues to rise, putting stress on the long-term resilience of these vital habitats. By funding advanced biological modeling of the City's wastewater treatment system, the project lays the foundation for consolidating two outdated plants into a single modernized facility capable of nutrient removal. This planning effort is the crucial first step toward upgrades that will significantly reduce nitrogen, phosphorous, and solids discharges into Bayou Bernard and its connecting wetlands, pollutants that drive algal blooms and habitat/fish population decline. While this application funds the planning stage, it is a necessary first step in delivering the infrastructure upgrades that will preserve water quality, protect sensitive habitats, and reduce the risk of ecological degradation, while also ensuring marine and coastal resources are protected not only for current residents, but for future generations as well.

16. Estimated Years To Completion: 1
17. Estimated Completion Date: 4/30/2027

Budget:

Salaries,Wages, Fringe
Travel
Architecture & Engineering: $1,800,000
Legal
Consulting
Construction: $13,900,000
Site Work
Equipment
Indirects
Other
Total: $15,700,000


Application Submission Date: 09/30/2025
Fiscal Year: 2027
Project Status
Application Status: Submitted
Meets Criteria
Internal Notes:
Attachments:: https://gomesa_internal/attachments/GOMESA_1377_COMPLETE.pdf
Hyperlink:: Attachments

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