Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
The City Council last week approved a proposal for Murraysmith engineering services to provide final design and construction management services for the Wastewater Treatment Plant improvement project.
The project, which carries a total estimate of about $28.5 million, is scheduled for completion by June 2023. The project will include new construction and the rehabilitation of existing portions of the plant.
It will include a new screening process, aeration basin upgrades, secondary clarifier improvements, bio-solids improvements, outfall improvement and other miscellaneous improvements to improve operational efficiency, plant reliability and discharge water quality, Public Works Director Greg Springman told the council at its June 25 meeting,
In April the council approved Murraysmith’s 20-percent schematic design, authorizing Murraysmith to develop a scope of work for the final design and construction management services. The city has budgeted $2.2 million for final design and $1.8 million for construction management.
The council increased sewer rates in January 2018 in anticipation of the project, Springman said. City staff continue to work on additional funding for the project.
The plant, built in 1947, was last upgraded in 1994, Springman said.
The city entered an agreement with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality in January 2001 to address ongoing wastewater system overflows and discharge violations primarily caused by inflow and infiltration in the collection system, which is water that enters the sewer system through deteriorating pipes and cross connections with storm drainage.
The city spent some $15 million during the following 10 years in four phases to repair and replace sewer lines, reducing the amount of I&I entering the system, and city officials began looking at plant upgrades to increase capacity in case of major weather events. Estimates ranged as high as $42 million.
In May 2015, Springman said, the DEQ notified the city it had complied with the terms of the agreement.
In spring 2017, the plant had several violations during heavy rain events, Springman said, and the DEQ issued an enforcement letter to the city in June 2018. In August 2017, the DEQ held an enforcement meeting with city staff to discuss options for continued compliance, and the city began seeking an engineering firm to prepare designs to improve the plant.
Moving forward, Murraysmith is scheduled to complete the final design by fall 2020 and to seek bids in early 2021. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2021. The plant will continue operating during the construction phase.
Present during the regular council meeting on June 25 were Cortney Nash, Susan Coleman, Lisa Gourley, Mayor Greg Mahler, Diane Gerson, James Goble and Dave Trask.
In other business, the council approved an agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation to receive grant funds for the Senior Center Dial-A-Bus service.
The grant funds, $308,000, pass through the city to the Senior Center. The city provides $22,000 out of $99,000 in local matching funds annually.
The Dial-A-Bus provides curb-to-curb transportation service within the Sweet Home city limits with priority given to the elderly and disabled. Rides are by appointment only and must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. Rides cost $1. A 10-ride punch card is available for $10.
The service operates from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday except on major holidays.
For more information or to book a ride, all (541) 367-4775.