CIRCLEVILLE — The City of Circleville has begun clearing trees along State Route 56 West, just outside of downtown, as part of efforts to improve safety and security around the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant.
With construction at the treatment plant nearing completion, city officials took a closer look at the wooded area surrounding the facility to protect what they describe as a “large capital investment.” The dense woods, which border the plant and the nearby riverbank, have long presented challenges for staff and infrastructure.
According to city officials, the area has seen increased incidents of trespassing, illegal dumping, vandalism, and even break-ins. Unauthorized hunting and recent homeless encampments have also raised safety concerns for both employees and the facility’s operation.
“In the spring season, the dense canopy has caused issues ranging from clogged ventilation systems to root intrusion in critical sewer and outfall lines,” the city explained in a statement. “These conditions created ongoing maintenance problems and operational risks for the plant.”
After consulting with a local forester, the city determined that a large portion of the wooded area was dead, unhealthy, or comprised of unwanted growth. A local timber company partnered with the city to remove the trees, stumps, and brush in exchange for usable timber, minimizing costs to taxpayers.
“The result was a very small financial cost to the City and a huge benefit to the safety, security, and integrity of the plant and its personnel for many years to come,” officials said.
The tree-clearing work is one of the final steps in ensuring that the upgraded wastewater facility remains safe, secure, and fully functional for future operations. The cost for Circleville’s wastewater treatment plant upgrades is approximately $38 million, though a recent project was funded with a $42.4 million loan that includes $50,000 in principal forgiveness. The total project cost is being funded by utility bills.
