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Sanitation board reviews lift-station alarms, permit renewal and vendor options for odor control
Summary
Board members reviewed an Aug. 30 power-loss alarm at Lift Stations 4 and 5, discussed permit-renewal filings and vendor outreach (Gasco; Metropolitan Industries) for control-panel and pump upgrades, and debated short-term odor mitigation (filters, bubblers, air-assist) for the West Port/Lisonbee lift station.
The Burns Harbor Sanitation Board spent substantial time reviewing recent operational issues at its lift stations and planning upgrades aimed at improving reliability and reducing neighborhood odors.
Operations staff reported a power-loss alarm Aug. 30 at Lift Stations 4 and 5; on arrival the call box was reset and the site appeared normal. Eagle Services has been contacted to schedule a lift-station fault cleanout. Greg, a wastewater plant staff member, said both east and west clarifiers were cleaned since the last meeting and that a 10-day letter was sent to allow cleaning of the contact chamber within 30–45 days, weather permitting. He also confirmed the permit-renewal application has been submitted and that agency responses will take time.
Jeanette said she, Shannon and Brandon met with two vendors — Gasco and Metropolitan Industries — to discuss system upgrades including new control panels, standardizing pump models, adding backup pumps at each lift station, additional generators, and moving communications to fiber. Preliminary information from vendors is expected to be presented at the next meeting.
Board members raised resident complaints of strong odors at the West Port/Lisonbee lift station. Discussion focused on near-term and medium-term mitigations: raising the exhaust/vent pipe, installing a filter on the vent, assessing downstream lift-station cycling to prevent septic conditions, and installing bubblers or other air-assist systems to keep wastewater aerated. Greg noted odor problems often ease as weather cools and encouraged monitoring before committing to heavy equipment changes; board members asked staff to add these items to the vendor/repair checklist.
The board also discussed separating purchase orders and dockets across different meeting dockets and confirmed staff can provide purchase-order information upon request. Board members expect a more detailed upgrade proposal from vendors at the next meeting.
