SALEM – The utilities department completed multiple large construction projects in 2025.

As part of her annual state of the city address, Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey presented an overview of the utilities department’s activity last year, which included the completion of phase three upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant.

The project took approximately 2.5 years to complete with an estimated price tag of $18,500,000 and saw the installation and implementation of the PONDUS Thermal Hydrolysis Process. Developed in Europe, the PONDUS system is currently in use at “10 locations throughout Europe, and Salem is now the second location in the United States” to implement the system, preceded only by Kenosha, Wisconsin. The PONDUS system will allow the department to convert aerobic sludge to anaerobic sludge, increase methane gas production, and decrease sludge volume.

The project also included: the installation of new dome covers on all three trickling filters and the full replacement of filter media on filter one; the installation of a new larger generator; the implementation of a new centrifuge which has increased the plants dry solid percentage to 30% since going online; and the complete rehab of both anaerobic digestors including a new floating cover for the primary digestor, and a complete restoration of the secondary digestor’s cover.

Other projects completed in 2025 included: phase one of reservoir shoreline improvements at the East Cold Run Reservoir; the installation of a new access road to the west levee with approximately 2,000 feet of fencing and gates to secure it; and installed a new manhole in front of Sleepy Hollow, and repaired one in front Farmer’s National Bank which “should greatly reduce the hydrogen sulfide levels which had been creating some of the odor issues” reported in the area.

The department also continued work on phase one improvements at the water treatment plant throughout 2025 which included: the installation of a new generator; widening and blacktopping the drive; the installation of new drainage lines, storm sewer, conduit runs, and underground piping; the construction of a new electrical building; and the formation and pouring of a new sludge tank.

The department also began the design engineering process for a project to replace a section of the water line on South Ellsworth Avenue ahead of the upcoming paving project planned for 2026. Other waterline projects expected in 2026 and 2027 include the replacement of roughly $4,500 feet of waterline on Benton Road, and the installation of a new 12-inch line extension from Pershing Street to Edgewood Drive which will eliminate six existing dead-end lines.

In addition to facility and system improvements, 2025 also saw the hire of Trent Newburn at the water treatment plant. Several department employees also completed new certifications including: Assistant Superintendent Chad Hess, Scott Brown, and Terry Jackson who earned their water reclamation class three certifications; and George Moser and Zach Vanhorn who earned their water supply class two certifications.