Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wastewater topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Wastewater plant manager reports pump and power-surge issues, flow-meter installation planned
Summary
Public works reported average treated flow of about 200,000 gallons in recent weeks, intermittent problems after power "bumps," a plugged auger issue, plans to install a full flow meter within two weeks and recommended pump upgrades.
Public works staff reported that the Monroe-area wastewater plant is operating but continuing to experience intermittent operational issues tied to short power interruptions and equipment limitations.
Jeff, the plant manager, told the council the plant has been treating about 200,000 gallons on average over the past three weeks and that a recent power bump caused control problems requiring staff intervention. “We treat about 200,000 average in the last, probably, three weeks we've been doing,” Jeff said. He told the council that when the plant experiences a power bump the controls can fail to restart correctly and staff must go on site to reset equipment.
Jeff said the plant's auger and membranes are generally performing well but that inorganic material can plug pumps when the auger trips. Staff reported one pump was currently plugged but easy to clear. Council members and staff discussed installing a larger pump — a 3-inch unit was recommended to keep up with flow — and getting programming assistance to the plant's programmable logic controller (PLC) to prevent disruption after short power interruptions. “We gotta get ahold of Andrew and have him do some work on the PLC to fix that,” Jeff said.
He told the council that a building was recently installed over the full-meter vault and that the full flow meter should be installed within the next two weeks, with Brent and Andrew coordinating the programming and James assisting with wiring.
No formal votes or contract awards were made at the meeting related to pump replacement or PLC work; staff indicated they will pursue repairs and installations and monitor for state compliance.
