The city of Logan is taking a step toward being more environmentally friendly.

The city is in the process of constructing its wastewater collection system upgrade project. When completed, the new system will reroute stormwater from sanitary sewers to dedicated storm sewers and will provide screening devices to remove larger solids, according to a press release issued by the city.

The release said the screening systems are being installed on the city's existing pipelines. The separation is necessary to reduce the quantity of raw sewage discharged into the Guyandotte River during storms, the release said.

The contractor recently installed a screening system adjacent to the "Welcome To Logan," sign located at the intersection of State Route 10 and Main Street near the Department of Motor Vehicles office in downtown Logan.

The installation of the screen will serve to retain solids in the sewer system rather than discharging them to the Guyandotte River, which is located on the opposite side of the State Route 10, the release said.

"To date, the help from Mayor Nolletti, and Chief Harper we have succeeded in the installation of four stainless steel COPA Cyclone Drum Screens into CSO’s 5,8,9 and 10," Robert L. Cann, inspector for the Logan system upgrade of Dunn Engineers, said. The COPA Cyclone Drum Screens are the first of these to be used in the State of West Virginia, and Logan is the pilot project of this very advanced system, the release said. The engineers have successfully separated the storm water from the sewage system on Cudden Street, Dingess Street and Charles Street.

The contractors are in the process of completing two CSO stations that will contain the first trash catcher's boxes in the state that will help prevent the trash from entering the river, the release said. The removal of the storm water from the sewer system should help the sewer plant in maintenance and performance of the plant. The new McDonald's pump station should start working as soon as the middle of the month, the release continued.

"We still have to install the force main to Stollings and the storm line from Pine Street to Logan and the Charles Street bore," Cann said. "Everyone with the city has made this project easier with their help and dedication to making the city of Logan move forward. They have all done a great job. The city of Logan is looking very impressive with all of the new additions and the trash pickup. They should all be very proud of what they have done."

Logan Mayor Serafino Nolletti, along with the City of Logan Sanitary Board, issued their statement recently concerning the project.

"We are proud that after eight years of planning, and different administrations that have worked hard on this project that it is becoming a reality and near completion," the statement from the city officials said. "Our sewage treatment plant will be operating a lot more efficiently, and with the current regulations by the DEP and the current need to go green in our nation, this project is truly beneficial."

The mayor also said there may still be some traffic delays, and encourages the public to be patient with the city during this time of construction. "It will be beneficial to all of us in the city of Logan for years to come," Nolletti said.