City officials attributed the major sewage leak to faulty wiring, but a comprehensive assessment revealed much deeper issues at the facility.

The council reviewed a 2023 Dewberry assessment that identified more than 40 necessary projects, studies, and improvements needed for the plant to function properly. The report highlighted multiple systems operating at or beyond their expected lifespan.

According to the assessment, Hopewell did not have a maintenance improvement plan in place last year, leading to rising safety risks from deferred maintenance. The report also noted that various industry partners had expressed concerns about the lack of financial transparency.

The 2023 report identified $21 million worth of urgent infrastructure needs and recommended hiring at least 17 additional s

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