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Phone Numbers
(304) 234-3838
Emergencies: Dial 911
Location
1500 Chapline Street
Wheeling,
WV
26003
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Water Pollution Control

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Water Pollution Control

Wheeling Water Pollution Control Division
  2516 Main Street | Wheeling, WV 26003
 Phone: (304) 234-3874


Plant Superintendent: Andy Harris
 Phone: (304) 234-3874
Email: aharris@wheelingwv.gov

DEPARTMENT SUPERVISORS 

Operations:   Mike Chiazza
 Phone: (304) 234-3874 / Fax: (304) 234-3873
Email: mchiazza@wheelingwv.gov  

Maintenance:   Pete Wiggins
Phone: (304) 234-3874 / Fax: (304) 234-3873
 Email: pete.wiggins@wheelingwv.gov

Collection System:  Bob Weisner
 Phone: (304) 234-3874 / Fax: (304) 234-3873
Email: bweisner@wheelingwv.gov

Utility Accountant:  David Pesi
 Phone: (304) 234-3722 / Fax: (304) 234-3721
Email: dpesi@wheelingwv.gov

Pretreatment/FOG Coordinator:   Jordan Cunningham
 Phone: (304) 234-3874 / Fax: (304) 234-3873
Email: jordan.cunningham@wheelingwv.gov 

Stormwater Coordinator:   Kate Cutlip
  Phone: (304) 234-3735 / Fax: (304) 234-3873
 Email: kate.cutlip@wheelingwv.gov

Treatment Plant:  (304) 234-3874

Billing:  (304) 234-3762

To report a sewer break, call 304-234-3874. 

 
RATE SCHEDULE

Overview 

The City's Wastewater Collection and Treatment System began as a collection of combined wastewater and storm drain sewers built in the late 1800s and on a continuing basis into the 1950s. Some 154 miles of 6-inch to 24-inch clay pipes remain the primary collection system of the City. However, beginning in the 1950s, the City began to construct a series of concrete interceptors, commenced construction of its first treatment plant in 1954, and brought a new plant, to provide primary treatment, on-line in 1960. In 1972, the City began to plan an upgrade of this plant to meet higher environmental standards. At the same time, improvements were made to the Warwood Pump Station and seven municipal metering stations. The new secondary treatment plant began operations in 1983. The collection system now contains over 300 miles of sewer lines.

The treatment plant serves most of Ohio County and Benwood. Much of the City's sewer system is a combined system. Flows at the plant can vary considerably depending upon the weather. The secondary treatment process is designed to treat an average flow of 10 million gallons per day (mgd). However, hydraulically the plant can handle up to 35 mgd.

The Treatment Process 

Wastewater enters the treatment plant through a 72-inch sewer line. Sewage then flows through two sets of 3/8” bar screens, then pumped to an aerated grit chamber to remove grit. Flow leaves the grit chamber into two primary clarifiers which allows heavier material to settle then pumped to the sludge treatment process. Flow from the primary clarifiers enters two aeration tanks then to four final settling tanks where activated sludge is settled and returns to the aeration tanks or wasted to sludge treatment process. Flow leaves the final settling tanks and passes through a UV system before being discharged to the Ohio River. An average of eight million gallons of wastewater is treated daily. The treatment process takes approximately 12 hours.

Departments 

  • Maintenance – Provides all mechanical and electrical maintenance, this includes preventative maintenance to the buildings and structures, plant pumping equipment, and 14 pump stations located throughout the city. Hauling of sludge and screening waste to the landfill is done by the maintenance personnel.
  • Operations – Provides oversight and monitoring of the wastewater treatment plant process with WV Certified Wastewater Operators. The department also operates a WVDEP certified laboratory with certified personnel that perform onsite analysis of the treatment plant process.
  • Collection System – Provides maintenance and repair of the sewage collection system that conveys wastewater to the treatment plant, this includes monitoring of 42 permitted combined sewer overflows (CSOs) throughout the city. The department also manages a pre-treatment program that regulates seven industrial users that discharge wastewaters to the treatment plant.


Wastewater Treatment Plant Tours 

For information and to schedule a tour, please contact Mike Chiazza at (304) 234-3874. School science classes, environmental groups, scouting groups, and adult education groups have taken tours in the past. However, anyone is welcome. If you are interested, please contact us.
 
Tour Safety 

The plant is a functioning industrial site operating 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Sturdy closed shoes, socks and long pants are required for both your safety and comfort. No flip-flops, sandals, clogs, open toed shoes, shorts, or skirts are allowed.

Please be advised that due to security issues, we reserve the right to refuse anyone from taking part in a tour. We also reserve the right to cancel tours in the event of a plant or City emergency or inclement weather.
 
Tour Specifics 

  • Plant tours are free of charge
  • Tours take 1 to 2 hours
  • Open to all aged 10 years and above
  • Available for groups up to 20 people