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Wastewater division outlines $11 million capital work, projects to reduce inflow/infiltration and new FOG outreach
Summary
Wastewater staff reviewed planned plant upgrades, sanitary‑sewer rehabilitation, a collections building purchase and FOG (fats, oils and grease) outreach in the FY2026 proposal; staff noted peak storm inflow challenged UV capacity during recent heavy rains.
Matt Walker, assistant public works director for wastewater, presented the wastewater enterprise budget and a multi‑year capital program on Aug. 12, emphasizing plant system upgrades, sanitary‑sewer rehabilitation and efforts to reduce inflow and infiltration (I&I).
Walker said the FY2026 capital list includes aeration basin diffuser membrane replacement and a blower right‑sizing study (engineering in one year, construction the next), replacement of UV disinfection equipment (equipment purchase and channel modifications over two years), continued manhole rehabilitation using a polyurethane coating process and open‑cut repairs where cured‑in‑place lining is not feasible. He listed a Thirteenth Street sanitary sewer extension that Hornady would reimburse — staff said Hornady will pay for that connection and the city’s projected billing shows a roughly $2.324 million reimbursable item tied to the project.
Walker described the collections group move into a purchased building (former Heartland Ag building) that will consolidate crews and share space with the police tactical team. He also proposed buying a new transport camera and a smaller, higher‑pressure flusher truck to access longer runs and tighter corridors.
On system stress during heavy rainfall, Walker said Grand Island treated a peak of about 44 million gallons per day during a major summer storm; the plant’s ultraviolet disinfection system is the treatment bottleneck and staff bypassed UV under state coordination during the event to manage flow. Walker said much of the surge was inflow/infiltration rather than additional sewage load from customers. He also reported progress on a fats, oils and grease (FOG) manager position who is conducting outreach and establishing a preferred‑hauler program for grease waste.
The council discussed pipe materials, manhole coating and project sequencing. Walker said the proposed capital program aligns with the 2023 rate study and projected revenues and that no new user‑fee action was taken at the meeting.
