ESU monthly report: trees, street sweeper, sewer overflow and lab response

Kankakee City Environmental Services Utility staff reported March 17 on routine and emergent operations across street, sewer, lab and finance divisions, including tree trimming schedules, street-sweeper needs, a sanitary sewer overflow and temporary lab measures to limit grease entering the treatment plant.

Director Lopez told the board that yard-waste must be in containers or brown kraft bags purchased from hardware stores and that cans require a city sticker available at City Hall or the Department of Public Works. Lopez said Aqua (a contractor) is waiting for asphalt plants to open and is targeting April 1 to begin patching work. He also said the city has about 500 tons remaining of a 2,000-ton salt order and that the purchase must be paid before May to meet contract deadlines.

Lopez confirmed the tree-trimming campaign proceeds ward-by-ward and that the Fifth Ward is scheduled in the 2027 rotation, but residents can request priority trimming or removal by calling in. He also said a city street sweeper blew a hydraulic valve; staff are pricing replacements and quoted a new machine at about $328,000.

Sewer superintendent Zach reported progress on PLC installations at lift stations (about halfway complete), cross-training for camera televising and recent work to respond to a serious sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) on the Mantino line near ACME. Crew members exposed several manholes that had been covered and found a large grease accumulation and other debris in the line; staff said some infrastructure along that access drive is in the county and not city-owned, complicating permitting and access.

Industrial lab lead Mr. McGinnis said one larger industry’s flow was down in February (attributed to a shorter month) but that lab and sewer staff are working with industries to reduce grease discharges. McGinnis thanked local companies — identified in the meeting as a packaging supplier and the city library — for donating paper products to help absorb grease during plant operations and to limit discharge to the river.

The assistant comptroller reported ESU is 10 months into its fiscal year with operating cash balances above typical levels, citing ARPA grant dollars and catch-up payments from ACWA billing that were received that month. Revenues were reported at about 86.5% of budget; staff cautioned that upcoming capital needs (street sweeper and other equipment) will draw on reserves.