Public works staff told the City Council at an agenda review that a centrifuge at the Milton wastewater treatment plant has been offline for about four weeks and requires a sole-source repair. Staff said there is no active warranty on the unit and that the vendor will also perform a scheduled five-year update while repairing it.

Nut graf: The centrifuge separates solids from water at the plant; without it, solids can accumulate and risk failing permit samples. Staff described the repair as necessary to avoid regulatory findings and recommended placing the repair on the consent agenda for formal approval so work can begin promptly.

Joe, public works staff, explained the centrifuge reduces solids to a dry material for landfill disposal and said parts and service are available from a single vendor; a brand-new centrifuge would cost about $500,000, staff said. The vendor estimated six weeks to complete the repair once started; staff said they already arranged transport and diagnostic work and asked council to authorize repair on consent so the vendor can proceed.

Council members asked whether the plant could manage while the unit was out; staff said the drying beds could be used for a time but would not sustain long-term operations. Staff described the repair and the scheduled five-year update as intended to return the plant to reliable operation for the next multi-year period.

Ending: Staff recommended placing the repair on consent tonight so the vendor can begin work as soon as council ratifies the consent action at the regular meeting.