Nicholasville city commissioner approved an order with the state to increase the wastewater treatment plant’s capacity and continue fixing sanitary sewer overflows.

The agreement with the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet calls for the city to repair four overflows which allow rain water into the sewer system and to expand the wastewater treatment plant.

Nicholasville Public Utilities Director Bob Amato said expanding the wastewater treatment plant alone is a $20 million project which will increase the capacity from 4.1 million gallons per day to 7.1 MGD, he said.

“We’re underway on design and hope to bid that this spring and start construction next year,” Amato told the commissioners Monday during a special commission meeting.

The project was part of a bond issue approved in October 2020 which included construction of the new Nicholasville Police Department, a new fire truck and refinancing about $13 million in debt.

Amato said construction on the wastewater plant, located on Shun Pike, to take about 18 months to complete.

The other part of the order calls for the city to repair four sanitary sewer overflows, or wet weather overflows, within the city’s sewer system. Amato said plans are already in place to fix two in Lone Oak and a third on Lake Street. A fourth, located near Edgewod and Rebel Road, has not been designed yet, he said.

The Lone Oak and Lake Street projects are estimated between $1 and $1.2 million, Amato said.

The Lone Oak SSOs should be completed by the end of the year and Lake Street by the end of 2023, he said.

In other action Monday, the commissioners:

• heard a presentation about cemetery software from Sandra Roberts.

• presented Harold Smith with a key to the city.

• discussed modifying the description and title of the assistant planning and zoning director.

• discussed the process of developing the meeting agendas.

• met in closed session to discuss personnel for 31 minutes. No action was taken.