Project Purpose
The purpose of the Big Walnut Augmentation/Rickenbacker Interceptor (BWARI) sewer project is to increase the capacity of the existing wastewater collection system to serve current and future needs along the Big Walnut, Blacklick and Alum Creek basins in eastern Columbus and Franklin County. The estimated $220 million two-phase sewer tunneling project will significantly reduce wet weather plant bypasses (untreated wastewaster) at the Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant into the Scioto River by providing in-pipe storage.  It will also eventually relieve the Alum Creek sanitary trunk sewer by providing additional downstream sewer capacity. BWARI is one of the first steps toward improving sanitary sewer capacity throughout Columbus.

Project Benefits
This project will benefit central Ohio by improving the water quality of the area streams and rivers by reducing plant bypasses and sewer overflows by providing additional capacity to the Columbus wastewater collection system. BWARI also will serve as the foundation for future sanitary sewer improvement projects in Columbus, particularly on the east side.
 

Project Areas and Construction Timelines
PART ONE	PART TWO
168" (14') diameter interceptor sewer 4 miles long From: Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant To: Alum Creek Drive and London-Groveport Road Start: Began in early 2004 End: 2008	144" (12') diameter interceptor sewer 3 miles long From: Alum Creek Drive and London-Groveport Road To: I-270 Start: 2005 End: 2008
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