Tooele City to design retrofit of water-reclamation solar dryer; council approves $593,300 contract for engineering

Public Works Director Jamie Grandpre presented a resolution on July 16 to contract with JUB Engineers, Inc. for design work on solar dryer and greenhouse retrofits at Tooele City’s water reclamation facility. The council approved Resolution 2025‑66 by a 5–0 vote. Grandpre explained the city operates a greenhouse-style solar dryer that works with screw presses to dry biosolids. The system currently produces Class A biosolids only during the warmest months (roughly June–September); during other seasons the facility typically achieves Class C biosolids because it cannot maintain required temperatures. The proposed design work would evaluate heating the existing greenhouse concrete floors (to about 90°F) and replacing some glass with polycarbonate to reduce heat loss, along with other retrofits to increase year-round drying capacity. Grandpre said the $593,300 design contract is one of the larger design costs included for an upcoming bond package; the construction cost would be considered as part of that bond if approved. He said staff will seek to phase work so at least part of the drying system can continue operating while bays are retrofitted, and noted disposal to landfill has been a recurring winter expense when the city cannot produce Class A biosolids. Why it matters: improving year‑round drying could allow the city to produce Class A biosolids more months of the year, reduce hauling and landfill disposal costs and potentially allow the city to make biosolids available for beneficial reuse. Grandpre said the design phase will take a few months and construction would likely begin next year if the bond and plans proceed.