The City of Mt. Union was an unsewered community, population 132. Wastewater treatment was provided by an inadequate system of on-site systems consisting of septic tanks with no secondary treatment. The City was served with an administrative order by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) requiring remedy of the problems. Work began with the selection of French-Reneker-Associates to prepare an engineering study of possible solutions. The City also contracted with a local management entity, Regional Utility Service System (RUSS) for system ownership and operation. French-Reneker-Associates prepared final designs, provided assistance with funding applications, and performed construction observation under contract with RUSS.
The final system design consisted of septic tanks for primary treatment, variable grade septic tank effluent gravity flow piping to an AdvanTex, activated-sludge treatment system with ultraviolet radiation disinfection.
