PORTSMOUTH�� The city announced Friday that the contractor for the upgraded wastewater treatment plant at Peirce Island will not meet a key deadline on the project.

The city�s Legal Department notified the Environmental Protection Agency, state of New Hampshire and Conservation Law Foundation that general contractor Methuen Construction will not achieve the Dec. 1 interim construction milestone to substantially complete the biological aerated filter (BAF). Substantial completion of the BAF is now expected by Dec. 13.

The EPA, state and Conservation Law Foundation are parties to the consent decree that mandates the city�s upgrade of the Peirce Island facility to provide secondary treatment.

The city stated it has received assurances this two-week delay should not affect its ability to meet the April 1, 2020, consent decree deadline for meeting permit compliance.

�The city is very disappointed that the milestone for substantial completion will not be achieved,� Deputy City Attorney Suzanne Woodland said. �However, we are guardedly optimistic that there will be no further slippage in the schedule. The project has, by and large, progressed reasonably well, given the challenges of the location and other complexities.

Woodland said Methuen Construction and its subcontractors appear committed to delivering the project without further delay, Woodland added.

�Methuen Construction is aware of its contractual obligations and the city is in close communication with the parties to the consent decree,� she said.

The city has been tracking the progress of the work and posting monthly reports as required under the consent decree. As recently as Nov. 15, the city received assurances from Methuen Construction that the Dec. 1 deadline would be met, the city reported. In communications this week, it became clear the Dec. 1 milestone was not achievable and the consent decree parties should be notified.