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Wastewater director says Paseo Real plant operations stabilized; replacement options sought
Summary
Wastewater Director Mike Dozier reported several mechanical, electrical and control system upgrades at the Paseo Real treatment plant and described a procurement process to select design teams for a replacement or hybrid rebuild; councilors pressed for continued action on regulatory compliance and staffing.
Mike Dozier, director of the city's Wastewater Division, gave a technical update on operational improvements at the Paseo Real wastewater treatment plant and on the procurement process for design and replacement options.
Dozier listed projects completed in the past year: UV disinfection system rehabilitation (restored consistent performance since November), rental tertiary filtration to reduce turbidity entering the UV train, replacement and rehabilitation of aeration basin membranes and clarifier chain systems, replacement of headworks screens and modernization of the receiving area, new generators and automatic transfer switch planning and installation, and about 1,800 feet of fiber‑optic cable to connect buildings to SCADA controls.
Dozier said the plant has seen improved stability since November, with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit E. coli daily limit (410 CFU) exceeded once since Nov. 1, and no exceedances of monthly geometric means in that period. The reuse discharge permit (DP289) showed six single‑day exceedances at the lower limit used for nonpotable reuse; staff said they traced each to discrete causes and fixed them.
On long‑term capital strategy, Dozier described the city’s procurement sequence: a widely attended request for information (RFI) and a released request for qualifications to identify three qualified design teams. The city plans a subsequent request for proposals (RFP) to develop replacement or hybrid solutions and to recommend a preferred plan; tentative team selection was scheduled for October and final direction expected in 2027. Dozier said the approach asks vendors to propose technology and configuration options rather than prescribing a single fixed design up front.
Councilors focused on ongoing compliance negotiations with the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), on the urgency of hiring and retaining certified operators, and on the asset‑management work staff is starting to install to forecast lifecycle replacement needs. Dozier said the city is still negotiating with NMED, that the division had 23 vacancies across wastewater and collections and planned incentive pay and “grow‑your‑own” recruitment with Santa Fe Community College to reduce vacancies, and that new asset‑management software and operator training modules are being deployed to reduce maintenance surprises.
No formal action was taken. Councilors praised operational progress and urged continued emphasis on staffing and long‑term funding for the plant replacement or hybrid options.
