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Wastewater crew reports pump repairs, grease mitigation and root removal
Summary
Utility staff reported a pump taken offline after wiring was damaged (likely by rodents), the addition of grease-removal chemicals at city cleanouts, and removal of root balls discovered during a televised inspection; no formal action was requested.
Tim Crater, utilities/wastewater supervisor, told the Utilities Committee on Feb. 10 that the department has addressed several operational issues over the last month, including pump repairs, grease-mitigation efforts and removal of roots from a main line.
Crater said a pump at the main station was removed after inspection found damaged wiring that appeared to have been chewed, and the unit is at the shop awaiting further assessment; staff replaced the pump cord but were still determining whether internal damage occurred from water exposure. He also said the department added grease-removal chemicals to city cleanouts that were holding waste and that in a separate televised inspection crews found and removed two root balls that had been causing backups.
"We had a pump that went down at the main pump station a couple of weeks ago...the wiring itself was damaged by, rodents or whatever else," Crater reported. He noted the department continues to monitor lines after cleaning and camera inspections.
Crater clarified the city does not own a large camera truck but has a push camera and a VACCON-style vacuum truck available to support inspections and cleaning; staff said they will continue to monitor the repaired locations through the next significant rain event.
No formal motions or budget requests were made during the Utilities Committee report; the presentation was informational and staff said they would update councilors if further repairs or contract work are needed.
