EUREKA, Oct. 27, 2025

Public works staff told the council the city's chlorinator is past due for annual certification, one part has failed, and a backup unit should be purchased immediately to avoid downtime and to ensure compliance with state inspection requirements.

Kim (staff) said the failure created an exposure incident in which chlorination material got on an employee, and she described the situation as a substantial liability. "That's a huge liability to the city. It's very dangerous," Kim said, urging prompt procurement and service.

Staff recommended buying a backup chlorinator (vendor quote presented at roughly $4,700) and contracting with a single knowledgeable service provider for annual inspections and maintenance. Kim said the annual service cost typically ranges from $800 to $1,500 and that there are only a few qualified technicians in the region, increasing the urgency of securing a reliable provider.

The council did not take a purchase vote at the work meeting but asked staff to proceed with procurement planning and to place the items on the regular-meeting agenda. Staff also said they would document a recurring service schedule and consider adding reminders into the city's tracking system.