Cape Girardeau officially broke ground on a new $55 million wastewater treatment plant Friday, kicking off nearly two years' worth of building on a project that officials hope will solve the problem of overstretched capacity at the current plant off South Sprigg Street.

The new plant will be able to process an average flow of 11 million gallons per day and a peak capacity of 50 million gallons per day. Its use will bring the city into compliance with federal and state wastewater treatment regulations. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources required building a new plant and previously took a $15,000 payment from the city for dumping untreated sewage into the Mississippi River, which has continued at times when the existing plant has reached capacity.

Bids for the plant's construction came in lower than expected, which city manager Scott Meyer said Friday he hopes will keep down sewer rate increases for residents. The city has not yet charged the full amount of the increase that voters approved in 2011. Voters approved a quarter-cent capital improvement sales tax and a separate proposition that authorized $72 million in bonds in 2011. Tax revenue was to be used to repay the bonds, but the city has since been authorized two State Revolving Fund low-interest loans, which will instead be repaid by the voter-approved funds.

The plant will be built to the southeast of the Public Works Department site at 2007 Southern Expressway. The project is scheduled to be complete by June 2014.

Cape Girardeau Mayor Harry Rediger and other city officials thanked voters Friday.

Pertinent address:

2007 Southern Expressway, Cape Girardeau, MO