Derby and Nevins Lakes Sanitary Sewer System

Spicer Group provided full engineering services for the development of a new low-pressure sanitary sewer system serving the Derby and Nevins Lakes area. Services included a feasibility study, support in forming and guiding a sewer committee, USDA Rural Development funding assistance, system design, permitting, and construction administration.

The project involved installing a low-pressure collection network with 242 grinder pump units around both lakes. All flows were directed to a new 160-gallon-per-minute (gpm) duplex submersible pump station, equipped with variable frequency drives, which pumped the wastewater 1.5 miles to an upgraded lagoon treatment system.

The existing lagoons—originally owned by Montcalm Community College and later donated to Sidney Township—were fully rehabilitated. This included cleaning two existing cells, constructing a third, and lining all cells with a dual liner system. Aeration was added throughout the lagoons to improve treatment performance. The final treated effluent is pumped from a 250-gpm duplex submersible pump station to a five-unit spray irrigation system that disperses the water onto agricultural fields.

The treatment system also incorporates mechanical processes for ammonia nitrogen reduction and chemical treatment to reduce phosphorus levels. Initially overseen by the Montcalm County Drain Commissioner, the completed system is now owned and operated by Sidney Township.