Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sewer Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Beaver City staff outline sewer upgrades, say auger system and above-ground pumps will cut costs
Summary
Public works staff described plans to remove inorganic debris from incoming wastewater using an auger system, to use above-ground pumps, and to run a new waterline to support the lagoons; they warned the process will produce temporary odors and said the city will minimize costs by avoiding unnecessary buildings.
Beaver City public works staff updated the council on the wastewater (sewer) project and described equipment and construction choices intended to reduce capital and operating costs.
Public works staff said a mechanical auger system will remove inorganic debris before wastewater reaches the lagoons. The collected solids will be placed in a bin and hauled to the landfill; staff said bins will be emptied on a schedule that will depend on loading. "It actually washes it as it goes up the auger. And so what comes out is actually fairly clean trash," an employee said.
Staff recommended above-ground, easily serviceable pumps rather than vault-mounted units. They reported favoring a Gorman-Rupp pump model observed at Richfield for ease of maintenance: it sits above ground and has serviceable components, so crews can remove parts without confined-space entry. "The nice thing about these are is the simplicity of working on them. It's just a matter of... you just have to pull a few bolts and disassemble it," the staff member said.
Officials said the city can install an 8-inch water line from the dog pound down to the lagoons and run a 2-inch line to the auger location; staff believe the city can install that work in-house. They also said some in-lagoon water was pumped to an empty secondary lagoon to reduce volumes ahead of construction.
Staff discussed sheltering options for the auger and related equipment. Several staff and council members said the city does not need a full enclosed building, citing corrosion and confined-space concerns at other facilities; they favored a covered, ventilated pavilion or a portable carport-style canopy to protect equipment and keep airflow. "We really don't need a building," a staff member said, adding that a simple roof and temporary walls as needed would limit corrosion and employee exposure to gases.
Officials warned the work will generate odors as lagoons are dewatered and processed. "They're going to stink before this project's complete. You can have a lot of complaints, but it's gonna smell before we can make it better," a public-works speaker said. Staff said the city will notify residents and consider disinfecting steps and public outreach before odorous work begins.
Staff also outlined sampling and pump choices and discussed landfill logistics for removed solids. They proposed purchasing reliable above-ground pump equipment and conducting the auger/screening and pump installation with in-house labor where practical to reduce costs.
No formal action was taken; council members expressed support for the recommended equipment choices and directed staff to continue project planning, sample analysis and procurement coordination.
