In 2019, Millville faced a water quality problem that affected the whole community. Elevated nitrate levels in local drinking water wells had been linked to septic systems, and the State had placed new development on hold. The City needed to move from individual septic systems to a community sewer system to help protect its groundwater. For residents, that meant a new connection and an added expense, so finding an affordable way forward was an important part of the work.

Franson Civil worked with Millville from the first planning decisions through construction. We compared collection and treatment options, weighing construction costs against what residents would pay over time. Connecting to Hyrum’s treatment facility, about five miles away, cost more up front but offered the lowest long-term cost.

Getting each home connected took careful groundwork. Our team found records for about 80 percent of the septic systems and worked with homeowners to locate the remaining sewer outlets. Those details mattered. They helped us set pipe depths and routes around the homes the system needed to serve. The design included nearly 660 service laterals and sewer mains reaching depths of 30 feet.

From there, a three-pump lift station and connecting pipelines moved wastewater toward Hyrum. We worked through highway, railroad, canal, and river crossings with landowners and permitting agencies, then stayed involved through construction management. As field conditions changed, we updated the design and system model. City staff received a model reflecting the installed system to support future maintenance and planning.

We also helped secure $46.24 million in grants and low-interest loans. Assistance for qualifying low-income households addressed another important piece: paying for the connection between their homes and the new sewer.

The system was functional and substantially complete in December 2025, giving Millville a way to move wastewater out of neighborhood septic systems and into treatment while addressing the groundwater concerns that started the work.