City OKs plant design work

Movement toward eventually building a new wastewater treatment plant started Tuesday evening after the Green River City Council approved a proposal by Burns and McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc., for design work.

The total amount approved was $970,291 and the design is anticipated to be completed in a year. Mark Westenskow, director of public works for the city, said the city had been turned down on a few of the grants they applied for, which was initially intended to pay for the design work. He said the city was able to secure a revolving fund loan from the state to pay for the work. Westenskow said the price offered by the engineering company was very attractive, which lead to its recommendation.

The city will likely be forced to start shutting down its sewer lagoon system after the 2021 EPA permitting process the city will undergo for its lagoon system. Westenskow said the department expected regulations to start tightening on the city in 2016 during their last permitting cycle. The system, which were originally installed in 1962 and last renovated in 1989, are reaching the end of its lifespan.

Westenskow said the motors used at the lagoons are nearly 30 years old and are not built anymore, which requires the city to specially order parts for maintenance.

A study conducted by the city into how it should move forward recommends the construction of a mechanical treatment plant. Westenskow said the earliest possible time the city could start construction of a treatment plant would be in 2020.

“This is an extensive project,” Westenskow said.

 

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