City of Newberry Announces Groundbreaking Partnership with City of Archer for Wastewater Treatment Services

The City of Newberry is thrilled to announce a pioneering interlocal agreement with the City of Archer to construct a regional wastewater treatment facility. This collaborative venture symbolizes a major progression in regional infrastructure and environmental management.

Mayor Jordan Marlowe of Newberry expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "This agreement showcases the strength of collaboration among small towns. When we unite our efforts, we can absolutely achieve great things. Not only are we building a system that will serve our communities today, but we're also laying the foundation for environmental and economic sustainability for future generations. It's a testament to what communities can accomplish when they work together towards common goals."

The City of Archer has pursued a feasible wastewater system for decades, challenged by high costs and complex retrofitting needs. Newberry, which first constructed its wastewater plant in the 1970s, is facing complex new treatment requirements from the state and continual growth, necessitating a new wastewater treatment plant to be built by 2026.

Under the terms of the agreement, Newberry commits to providing 0.175 mgd of wastewater treatment capacity for Archer, and in turn, Archer will contribute a share of the construction costs, in addition to monthly payments based on actual flows. Both cities will ensure compliance with state laws and permits, and Archer will adopt Newberry's wastewater ordinances to regulate industrial discharges and the management of fats, oils, and grease.

This strategic alliance allows both Newberry and Archer to leverage economies of scale, significantly reducing the cost to ratepayers in both cities. The agreement promises to bring advanced wastewater treatment capabilities to Archer and Newberry, helping protect the environment in both cities.

Archer has embarked on the design of a wastewater collection system targeting the downtown area, with plans to start construction in 2024 and operation as early as 2025, ahead of the completion of Newberry's treatment plant expansion in 2026.

The initiative received unanimous backing from the Archer City Commission on January 8, 2024. The City of Newberry unanimously approved the agreement on January 22, 2024.

With an estimated construction cost exceeding $50 million for Newberry's treatment facility, the project's planning and design phases are nearing completion, and construction is slated to start in late 2024.

Newberry City Manager Mike New expressed his gratitude and optimism regarding the partnership: "We're immensely grateful for the collaboration between the city commissions, mayors, and staff from both Newberry and Archer. This partnership benefits our cities financially by leveraging economies of scale to reduce costs and aligns with our shared values of sustainability and responsible growth. I sincerely thank everyone involved for their commitment to this significant endeavor."