HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — The Huntington Sanitary Board hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its wastewater treatment plant expansion project on Wednesday.

Huntington Water Quality Board members said the project will improve safety conditions for the employees, support economic development growth in the region, allow the Sanitary Board to meet state and federal environmental guidelines and make the wastewater treatment process more efficient.

The expansion project will allow the plant to treat 17 million gallons on a dry day and up to 64 million gallons on a wet-weather day.

"Its a monumental day for Huntington. We've longed talked about the three priorities that we have for the city which is public safety, building infrastructure, and creating a better economy and this project embodies all three of those in one," Mayor Patrick Farrell told Eyewitness News.

Triton Construction of Saint Albans was awarded a $196 million contract for the construction.

The project is expected to be completed in 2032.