The plant was completely renovated in response to a 2008 order from state and federal agencies to address the inability of the existing sewage system to curtail phosphorus concentrations in wastewater, as well as other environmental issues.

[3] Following the finalization of the order to build the plant in 2018, the Danbury City council considered a referendum to approve the use of funds necessary to begin construction, estimating the cost at $102 million.

They further warned that if the referendum did not pass, the city would lose out on opportune contracts and miss deadlines, both of which would increase the cost.

[4][5] Boughton also proposed a "Regional Water Pollution Control Authority" to help administer construction and maintenance of the plant instead of the city council.

Customers of the sewer, which made up less than a quarter of Danbury's population, saw rate increases of 2.95 percent, with Boughton commenting that he expected this trend to continue as the plant was constructed.

[1] In addition to phosphorus removal and other water treatment services, the sewage plant's upgrade plans included a technology to harvest grease and other heating fuel from wastewater.

Oliver responded positively to the proposed name change on his show, but then aired a clip of the mayor telling reporters that he was joking and did not actually intend to rename the sewer plant, and proceeded to further insult Boughton and Danbury, remarking: "You had the first good idea in your city's history and you chicken out on the follow-through.

If Danbury declined the offer, Oliver threatened to donate the same amount to neighboring towns, including Waterbury and Torrington.