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Council approves $299,000 contract to study wastewater treatment plant incinerator and alternatives
Summary
Council authorized a $299,000 Brown and Caldwell study to inspect the city’s aging sewage‑sludge incinerator, evaluate repair vs alternatives and analyze regulatory and financial implications including the Quad L 50% rule.
The Anacortes City Council authorized the mayor to sign a $299,000 contract with Brown and Caldwell to evaluate the city wastewater treatment plant incinerator and plan for biosolids management alternatives.
City staff explained the incinerator went into service in 1992 and has been the city’s sole biosolids disposal method since then. Recent age‑related shutdowns prompted staff to seek outside expertise to answer whether to rebuild the unit (the city has budgeted for a multi‑million‑dollar rebuild in the 2026 capital budget) or pursue alternatives. The proposed study is a two‑stage contract: a first stage (about $113,600) to inspect the incinerator, analyze finances relative to federal 'Quad L' rules and prepare a technical memorandum and an incinerator bypass plan; a second stage (about $185,400) — to be authorized only if needed — would analyze alternatives to incineration using a multi‑criteria decision analysis.
Staff noted federal regulations known commonly as the Quad L (40 CFR part 60 subparts) include a 50% threshold that can trigger a new‑source permitting standard if capital expenditures exceed a regulatory fraction of original construction cost. The city reported it currently processes about two dry tons of biosolids per day. Brown and Caldwell and industry experts will assess technical, economic, regulatory and non‑economic criteria and present recommendations at the end of roughly a one‑year study.
Councilmember Michael Fantini moved the contract authorization; Councilmember Matt Walters seconded. The roll call vote was unanimous among members present and the motion carried. Staff said final scheduling and public outreach for the planning process will follow and that the study’s findings will be presented to the council and stakeholders before any capital decision is made.
