Fairhope Public Utilities has reached a major milestone in its ongoing investment in critical infrastructure with the completion and startup of a new headworks system at the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The $4.8 million Headworks Improvement Project modernizes one of the most important components of the treatment process by replacing aging equipment with two new screening systems and a new grit removal system. The upgraded headworks is designed to support more flow through the facility and, with future planned improvements, will help increase the wastewater treatment plant's treatment capacity to 8 million gallons per day.

The project was supported by $1.15 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funding, helping offset the cost of the improvements while investing in Fairhope's long-term utility infrastructure.

While most residents will never see the equipment operating behind the scenes, the headworks system performs one of the first and most important steps in the wastewater treatment process by removing debris and grit before wastewater moves through the rest of the facility. These improvements also help protect downstream equipment and improve the overall efficiency of plant operations.

The Headworks Improvement Project is one of many utility infrastructure investments underway as Fairhope Public Utilities continues strengthening its electric, water, sewer, and natural gas systems to meet the needs of a growing community.