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Sanford moves forward on Actiflo treatment, generators and sewer engineering to bolster reclaimed water service
Summary
The commission approved design and construction spending to address reclaimed water shortfalls, authorized purchase of generators to protect lift stations, and funded engineering for Georgetown sewer upgrades.
The Sanford City Commission approved several water and wastewater items on Sept. 22 designed to improve reclaimed-water reliability and the resilience of utility assets.
City staff requested and the commission approved a budget transfer and award of construction services for an Actiflo treatment project at the North Water Reclamation Facility to address recent reclaimed-water delivery problems. Public Works and Utilities Director Brent Johnson described the Actiflo system as "a system where we pull water from Lake Monroe, we treat it, and then push it out as reclaimed water," adding that the procurement is intended as an alternative method to improve reclaimed supply. The commission approved awarding the Actiflo construction services in the amount of $1,989,000.
Staff also presented a long-term goal to ensure that no city-owned lift station, well or treatment plant is left without generator power during outages. In the wake of Hurricane Charley and subsequent equipment shortages, the city has pursued a mix of permanently installed and mobile generator solutions. City staff said the department cannot buy all units at once and is prioritizing sites; staff recalled scrambling for rentals after prior storms.
In addition, the commission approved a budget amendment and award of post-design engineering services to CPH Inc. for the Georgetown Sewer Upgrades Phase A1 in the amount of $124,190. Brent Johnson told commissioners he has proposed an inventory specialist position in the budget to stock routine spare parts such as pumps; larger custom components would continue to be ordered as needed.
Commissioners also discussed reclaimed-water service coverage and communications. Staff said reclaimed water is applied in many newer areas but the city currently cannot supply it across the entire system and that they post notices on the city website when broader, system-wide reclaimed-water issues occur. Staff said isolated outages are often caused when contractors or others close valves and do not reopen them, requiring staff to locate and restore flow.
All items were approved by the commission to proceed to implementation and design.
