Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Works topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sewer plant upgrades reduce treatment volumes as city stabilizes flow; staff report ongoing troubleshooting
Summary
Public works staff reported new equipment at the sewer plant — a three-inch pump, an auger and a flow meter — have reduced treated volumes from roughly 300,000 gallons to about 70,000 gallons per day; staff said the state has given the city until June to finalize adjustments and that some equipment troubleshooting remains under warranty.
Public works staff updated the Mona City Council March 11 on recent work at the city's wastewater plant, reporting that a new pump and other equipment have substantially reduced the volume sent through treatment and that the state has given the city a compliance window to complete final adjustments.
Jeff, who is responsible for the plant operations, said crews installed a three‑inch pump and a flow meter and connected an auger intended to reduce rags and debris entering downstream equipment. Jeff said staff submitted photos to the state and were given time “till through June to get it up and running,” and that, after the installation, the plant's treated volume fell from roughly 300,000 gallons per day to about 70,000 gallons on a recent day.
Jeff described the auger's performance as slow but useful: "It still might take 6 months before we get a rag ball out of there. That's just gonna take some time. The thing only turns at 3 RPMs... 20 seconds to make 1 revolution in there," he said, and added the auger had helped "prevent the pumps from ragging out." He told the council that he had been troubleshooting recurring trips with the auger and was in contact with the manufacturer under warranty; the manufacturer will perform phone diagnostics and, if necessary, field service under warranty.
Staff said the recent hardware reduced influent and treatment load at the plant and helped dry an area where standing water had been a problem. The change has also reduced the plant's need to treat high volumes and the frequency of pump failures, staff said.
Why it matters: The operational changes reduce the plant's treatment load and the risk of equipment failure, and they keep the city in closer compliance with state requirements while staff completes adjustments. Staff said they will finish fine‑tuning with a consultant and continue troubleshooting the auger under warranty.
