Public Works urges council to prioritize wastewater facility plan, recommends moving MBBR alternative onto state water plan

The Hot Springs Public Works Committee reported to council that the city's wastewater treatment plant is aging and that a comprehensive wastewater facility plan recommends significant upgrades. Committee members asked the council to review the wastewater plan and consider placing it on the South Dakota state water plan to preserve the city's ability to seek future funding.

City consultants from AE2S presented alternatives and recommended a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) for the wastewater facility. Committee members and staff told council the existing plant is approaching its design limits; corrosion, odor and operational problems were cited as indicators that replacement or substantial upgrades are needed.

Public Works recommended placing both the water and wastewater facility plans on the state water plan. Committee members said doing so does not obligate the city to fund the projects immediately but is a necessary step to enable future funding applications. Council members were urged to review the plans in detail; staff said the water plan documents are lengthy (one plan was described as about 118 pages) and recommended site visits to comparable modern facilities in other communities.

Public Works asked the council to prioritize the wastewater plan because it is the more expensive and more urgently needed project. If the council decides to seek funding, staff said the project would require additional public hearings and opportunities for public comment before proceeding.