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Spring City council approves phased lagoon remediation work and seeks funding options as cell nears overflow
Summary
After geotechnical testing showed uneven clay liner conditions and cell 3 came within inches of the spill elevation, council approved a phased contract with consultant Sunrise (about $47,100) for further testing and design and directed staff to pursue grants and internal budget options to fund a larger rehabilitation.
Spring City’s City Council approved a phased contract with consultant Sunrise to move forward on geotechnical testing, design and permitting for rehabilitation of the city’s sewage lagoons after staff reported that the third cell is approaching overflow.
Staff and consultant briefings disclosed that cell 3 is roughly four inches below its spill elevation and that subsurface testing found inconsistent clay liner coverage. Jesse (consultant/staff) described the immediate next steps: final permeability testing on samples, a topographic survey, preliminary engineering design and, if needed, contract documents and permitting for construction. Jesse said the consultant will prepare plan sheets and cost estimates that can be bid publicly.
Council debated scope and funding. Mike (fire/operations presenter) and other council members noted two broad options: a full reconstruction or targeted remediation. Estimated construction cost ranges discussed included about $200,000 for a more-limited remediation (some participants suggested higher figures up to $700,000–$750,000 depending on scope) and larger sums if additional screens, piping or a synthetic liner are required.
Because overflow risks trigger state scrutiny and potential enforcement, council voted to approve an initial, phased Sunrise contract (phases for testing and design) totaling roughly $47,100, with language allowing the city to stop the work at defined project milestones if additional scope or funding is not secured. The motion included direction to staff to look for external funding (Community Impact Board, USDA rural development, Division of Water Quality programs, low-interest loans) and to examine the city budget for up to $300,000 of internal funding if needed as a contingency while grant applications proceed.
Council also asked staff to schedule a work meeting with the consultant, engineers and funding representatives so the city can prepare stronger applications and firm cost estimates ahead of the next CIB authorization cycle. The council recorded a unanimous vote to approve the phased contract and the funding-direction motion.
The contract covers immediate technical work needed to determine whether cell 3 can be rehabilitated with in-place clay spreading, a synthetic liner, or other remediation measures; it does not itself commit the city to construction. Council members repeatedly emphasized the timeline urgency because a new engine, upcoming development connections and seasonal flow changes compress the window to act before winter and spring runoff expand inflows.
