By Craig Fox, Watertown Daily Times.

WATERTOWN — The city may pursue a $9.4 million project to overhaul Watertown’s wastewater treatment plant and turn its sludge into methane gas — even if it cannot obtain a state grant that would pay for the brunt of it.

Last week, the City Council approved issuing a $9 million bond to help pay for the first two phases of the project.

Meanwhile, Water Superintendent Michael J. Sligar is submitting a grant application by Friday to pursue as much as 25 percent of its cost.