Glens Falls replaces aging switchgear at wastewater plant; city to seek insurance, ARPA and budget funds

The City of Glens Falls Water and Sewer Board said it completed an emergency replacement of aging electrical switchgear at the city wastewater treatment plant and will pursue insurance, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and budget adjustments to cover immediate costs while seeking grants and bond financing for a larger electrical upgrade.

City Chair (unnamed), Water and Sewer Board, opened the discussion by reporting the new switchgear is operational and that the replacement went “fantastic.” Chris Miller, a water and sewer staff member who presented technical details, said, “This is the old switchgear system. It's 40 years old. There's nothing digital in this. It's electromechanical.” Miller described the new unit as a modern, enclosed system with digital controls and automatic switching capability and estimated the removed unit weighed about 12,000 pounds.

The board said crews craned the old equipment out and installed the replacement in a multi-day operation that included temporary generator connections and five days of running on generators (with diesel deliveries on the first four days). Miller said staff built a new 16-inch frame…