The Chehalis City Council on July 14 authorized the purchase of two Quincy compressors from Cascade Machinery & Equipment Inc. to replace aging air compressors at the wastewater treatment plant and directed staff to reallocate funding from a planned collections truck to cover the purchase.

The nut graf: One of the treatment-plant compressors had failed and the remaining equipment is near end of life; staff said buying modern compressors is about 18% more than rebuilding the old units but can produce energy and maintenance savings and enable planned pneumatic controls for a blower/valving upgrade.

Public Works staff explained that the existing compressors date to the plant’s startup (2007), one unit has failed, and new rotary‑lobe compressors would be more energy efficient and lower horsepower than the current positive‑displacement equipment. Staff said the city solicited bids and Cascade Machinery & Equipment was the low bidder; staff recommended purchasing two new compressors rather than rebuilding the old units. The city plans to reallocate funds from a $175,000 collection‑service truck that was in the capital plan; staff said the truck is needed but the compressor replacement has higher immediate operational priority.

Staff also cited expected energy rebates: past blower‑replacement work returned roughly 43% of project costs as a rebate on a roughly $120,000 project, and staff said they expect similar energy‑program participation on this project so some of the upfront premium could be recovered. Council asked for more transparency in future reports showing the rebuild estimate versus new‑equipment cost and a copy of the compressor quote; staff agreed to include detailed quotes and comparisons on subsequent materials.

Ending: Council approved the purchase and the reallocation of funds; staff will proceed with procurement, apply for energy rebates as appropriate, and include the detailed cost comparisons in follow-up reporting.