Council hears water and wastewater report; approves LED upgrades and advertises infrastructure bids

Lititz Borough staff reported budget pressure at the water and wastewater plants in February and outlined several capital tasks and cost-control measures at the borough council meeting on March 25.

Public-works staff and the borough’s contracted operator reported the borough was about $22,108 over budget for the month and $23,244 over year-to-date for water and wastewater operations. Staff attributed the shortfall primarily to increased chemical and utility costs tied to winter sludge processing; colder temperatures reduced biological digestion and required more frequent dryer runs.

Water and sewer staff described operational fixes intended to reduce costs in the second quarter: running the sludge dryer every other week instead of weekly, adjusting chemical dosing to increase sludge solids before drying, and testing an additional conditioning chemical to improve dewatering. Staff said the dryer’s start-up consumes significant energy and by halving start-ups they expect a material utility-cost reduction when temperatures moderate.

Council approved the Feb. Infomark operations report by voice vote and approved three capital or procurement steps tied to water and sewer work: - LED lighting upgrades inside the water plant (Filter Room, Chemical Room and Anion Room). Updated quotes exceeded the budgeted amounts by $1,680 in total; council approved the additional expenditure and directed staff to schedule installation. - Authorization to advertise for reconstruction bids for manhole Nos. 6 and 7. The project replaces aging brick manholes with concrete structures to reduce inflow and infiltration (I&I) and is funded by Lancaster County ARPA money. - Authorization to advertise for bids for meter pits and water main work on Front Street; the project was included in the water-fund capital budget.

Staff also reported other capital progress: replacements and repairs at the wastewater plant (limit torque valve actuators due, wet-well gate tentatively scheduled), centrifuge motors and pump motors on order, aeration diffuser sock parts on-site, and various filter and pump rebuilds in progress. At the water plant, staff said they are awaiting PPL to de-energize a line before installing a new component at Well 3 and are scheduling a high-service pump rebuild and flow-meter replacements.

Council members remarked on outreach and workforce development opportunities: staff led tours for students from Thaddeus Stevens and Reading Community College, and members suggested those tours could be a recruitment pipeline for future operators. Council also approved Infomark’s report and the small capital overrun for the LED conversion.

Council directed staff to continue monitoring monthly budget performance and to return with updates as the second quarter progresses.