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Committee approves $3.6M–$4M wastewater projects to cut odors and replace failing lift stations
Summary
The utilities director described odor-control upgrades and a multi‑pump-station replacement plan; the committee approved a $3.6 million oxygenation/digester project and a separate roughly $4 million project to consolidate and replace Lake Shawnee-area pump stations.
The Infrastructure Committee on July 15 approved multiple utilities projects intended to reduce hydrogen sulfide (H2S) odors and replace failing wastewater pump stations, mostly on the city’s south and east sides. The committee voted 3-0 to forward funding requests for both the odor-control installations and the Lake Shawnee-area pump-station replacements.
Director Davis, utilities director, told the committee the utilities department has historically been reactive in addressing odor problems and currently spends $400,000 to $500,000 a year on chemicals to control odors. After system studies, staff recommended installing a “super-oxygenated” system at the Central Park Pump Station (requested amount $3,600,000) and a small digester at the Rock Fire North Pump Station to introduce oxygen into flows and reduce H2S generation. Staff said if the pilot projects reduce H2S levels, they will bring further improvements for other locations in the system.
Separately, staff requested just over $4,000,000 to replace three antiquated pumps around Lake Shawnee with two new pump stations and to realign some force main sections; removing one pump station is expected to reduce long-term operations and maintenance costs. Director Davis said the work will remove aging equipment, decrease operating costs and improve reliability.
Council members asked about neighborhood impacts and whether the Central Park work would affect Collins Park; Davis said she would follow up with a definitive answer but indicated Collins Park is served by downstream flows from other areas and might be addressed by subsequent projects. Council members also asked whether the oxygenation system would reduce chemical purchases; Davis said yes and said the department anticipates savings on chemical costs.
Both requests were moved and seconded and passed unanimously (3-0) in committee. Staff said design is complete for the Lake Shawnee work and procurement will proceed after committee and governing‑body approvals.
