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Council advances sewer projects, approves generator appropriation and OKs sludge-reduction pilot
Summary
The council approved funding moves for multiple sewer projects, including appropriating $400,000 for a generator at the Riverview Sewer Lift Station and introducing a $42,558 pilot to test a biological additive to reduce sludge and odors at the Northeast wastewater treatment plant.
The Bossier City Council approved several measures related to sewer and wastewater operations, including final readings and introductions to fund design, equipment and a pilot test intended to reduce sludge and odors.
On final reading the council adopted an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 107 of 2023 to transfer surplus funding toward final design and completion of a Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) funding application for South Bossier sewer improvements.
The council also adopted on final reading an ordinance appropriating $400,000 from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund for a generator project at the Riverview Sewer Lift Station.
Council members introduced and approved on first reading an appropriation of $42,558 from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund to perform a SciCorp biological-additive pilot at the Northeast wastewater treatment plant. Public works staff described the pilot as a small-scale test to reduce sludge volume, save hauling and tipping fees and reduce odor complaints.
Public works operations manager Ben Rauschenbeck briefed the council on the pilot: “We’re looking to introduce a process at both our wastewater plants to reduce the sludge volume through a biological additive… the investment could save six figures a year just in tipping fees, hauling sludge from the facility, but also could have a lot of ancillary benefits to the community on odor.” He said the pilot would precede any full-scale implementation.
Why it matters: The generator appropriation and pilot are operational steps intended to improve reliability and reduce operating costs at sewer facilities; the SciCorp trial, if successful, could reduce hauling costs and odor complaints that staff said they address frequently.
Key details - Ordinance amended: Ordinance No. 107 of 2023 (transfer of surplus funding for South Bossier sewer improvements and LDEQ application), final reading — approved. - Riverview generator: $400,000 appropriation from Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund, final reading — approved. - SciCorp pilot: $42,558 appropriation for a biological-additive pilot at Northeast wastewater treatment plant, first reading — introduced and approved for first reading. - Rationale: Staff said the additive could reduce sludge volume, save significant hauling/tipping costs and reduce odors affecting nearby neighborhoods.
What was said - “The investment could save six figures a year just in tipping fees… but also could have a lot of ancillary benefits to the community on odor,” Ben Rauschenbeck said. - Staff said the transfer from Ordinance 107 of 2023 will support final design and completion of the LDEQ funding application for South Bossier sewer improvements.
Next steps The SciCorp pilot will be performed at the Northeast plant as a pilot; staff said they will report back on results. The generator and ordinance transfer are recorded as adopted on final reading in the meeting minutes.
