The City of Provo invites the community to celebrate a major environmental milestone at “Flush Fest,” a free family-friendly event marking the opening of the city’s new state-of-the-art Water Reclamation Facility. The celebration will take place on Saturday, June 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the facility.
The $120 million Water Reclamation Facility represents a transformative upgrade from infrastructure dating back to 1956, incorporating cutting-edge Membrane Bioreactor technology used by the world’s most advanced treatment plants.
The project broke ground in September 2020, replacing aging systems that had far exceeded industry standards useful life and were approaching federal compliance issues.
“When I took office, our aging water reclamation facility was approaching failure—a challenge we had to tackle for Provo’s future,” said Mayor Michelle Kaufusi. “Its completion is a vital success that will serve our community and improve Utah Lake for generations to come.”
The new facility features advanced technology that dramatically improves environmental protection while ensuring the city remains compliant with federal regulations for decades to come. By starting the project early, the city avoided substantial inflation costs and stayed within budget through careful planning and additional funding applications.
“I proudly took on the title of ‘The Sewer Mayor’ as we embraced this community need because often the most important work happens underground—unseen but hugely impactful to quality of life,” said Kaufusi.
Flush Fest Event Details:
- Date: Saturday, June 21
- Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Short program and ribbon cutting at noon.
- Location: Provo Water Reclamation Facility, 1685 S East Bay Blvd.
- Admission: Free
- Eventbrite Link for Free Event: https://bit.ly/4jEGKUL
Event Activities Include:
- Guided tours of the new facility
- Food trucks
- Educational booths with fun, interactive activities for all ages
- A prize given to all attendees who complete their ‘Flush Fest Passport’ by visiting all 11 booths
- Information about environmental protection
- Program and ribbon cutting to include Provo City, Utah County and the Division of Water Quality
The multi-year construction project involved demolishing outdated structures, extensive ground improvements, and constructing new facilities including a Power Distribution Building and Fine Screen Pump Station. While celebrating this milestone, city officials noted that upcoming phases will replace the “solids” portion of the plant as part of this multi-generational infrastructure investment.
This community celebration offers residents a unique opportunity to see firsthand how their city is investing in environmental protection and infrastructure for future generations. The facility’s advanced technology represents a significant step forward in protecting Utah Lake and meeting the growing needs of Provo’s expanding population.
Project and Event Partners:
- Water Quality Board and Division of Water Quality
- Utah Lake Authority
- Conserve Utah Valley
- Waterworks Engineering
- Arcadis
- Hansen Allen & Luce
- AECOM
- Alder Construction
