Hancock Service Authority: Exit 1 wastewater project moves toward bid stage as DEQ screening requirement remains

Hancock Service Authority staff on Thursday reported progress on the Exit 1 regional wastewater project and said they expect to be able to publish bid documents once engineers deliver the final packet.

Speaker 6, a staff member, said the authority is still confirming partner participation and ‘‘hopefully, by the next meeting, I’ll be able to provide an update on the wastewater project.’’ He added that once engineers supply the bid packet, ‘‘you’ll see it in the paper immediately.’’

Staff discussed operational changes that have improved plant performance, including an equalization basin that has moderated flows. Speaker 6 noted water-quality monitoring changes: ‘‘it’s 4.1 this week,’’ after months where readings were ‘‘less than 1.’’ Speaker 7 said the rise to 4.1 occurred in the last two weeks but indicated the plant was generally performing well.

The authority also discussed screening at the Exit 1 intake. Speaker 4 asked whether the screens would still be necessary given improved operations; Speakers 6 and 7 said an engineer might sign off to remove or modify the screening. Speaker 6 said he has contacted the state environmental agency about the facility’s consent order but cautioned DEQ ‘‘are still gonna require some type of screening option on it.’’

Staff said the SCADA communications system is near installation but that some radio-frequency checks and equipment deliveries remain before they will enable full communications. They characterized the remaining work as completing checks and allowing engineers to sign off on designs.

The authority said it will return with a fuller update at the next meeting, after partners and engineers finalize plans and the bid packet is complete.