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Staff flag sewer‑pond concerns as conduit and CCTV work continues across town
Summary
Public works staff reported a planned three‑year rotation to clean and CCTV sewers, continuing conduit installation by AB Boring on Main Street, and mounting concern that two sewer ponds are accumulating sludge and odors; staff discussed interim chemical treatments as a lower‑cost alternative to dredging.
Public works staff updated the Gunnison City Council on Sept. 3 about ongoing sewer maintenance, conduit installation and concerns about the city’s sewer ponds.
Staff said the sewer system has a roughly three‑year cleaning and camera inspection cycle and that crews will proceed with the planned rotation as long as the budget remains at current levels. AB Boring is installing conduit along Main Street and is reported to be moving toward Sterling and center‑field areas; staff said some conduit work and concrete work had been completed recently.
On the ponds, staff said the second pond is accumulating sludge and starting to produce odors. Staff reported a set of interim chemical treatment options under consideration that would cost substantially less than full dredging; figures mentioned in the meeting included a possible chemical treatment contract in the range of $48,000 as an example but no contract was authorized. Staff said the pond condition raises the risk of losing a bond if a longer‑term fix is not found and that the city is seeking master‑plan funding to determine a durable solution.
Staff also noted options such as hauling sludge to a larger pond or using chemical amendments to stabilize the existing ponds, but said each option carries operating costs and permitting considerations. Staff said they continue to research alternatives and gather vendor information and requested additional time to present a recommended approach.
No formal action or procurement decision was made at the meeting; staff will return with more detailed cost estimates and recommendations for interim and long‑term pond management.
