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Spring Hill staff warn of nitrogen permit exceedance; council approves centrifuge design contract
Summary
Staff told the board three years of sewer data point to a likely nitrogen permit exceedance (~14,000 pounds) and recommended regulator outreach; the board also approved Carrillo to design a centrifuge for the wastewater plant after on-the-floor contract amendments, 9-0.
City staff told the Board of Mayor and Aldermen that a three-year rolling average at the regional sewer plant indicates the city likely will exceed its nitrogen permit limits by roughly 14,000 pounds this year, prompting expectations of forthcoming fines and calls for operational changes.
"Based on where it looks like we're gonna end the year, it does look like we are gonna exceed our permit limitations on what we're allowed to put out by, about 14,000, if I remember right, pounds roughly," Interim City Administrator Mr. Allen said, briefing the board on earlier staff-provided data. Staff explained the underlying cause is primarily a hydraulic imbalance in the oxidation ditch; biological treatment was functioning but the hydraulics need correction. They said some fixes tried to date have been unsuccessful and staff may explore chemical dosing while continuing to pursue operational remedies.
Miss Weaver briefed the board on an unrelated but related infrastructure issue: a million-gallon city hall storage tank experienced an overflow because a top weld popped. An adjuster has been engaged and staff recommended treating the repair as an emergency to return the tank to service for spring and summer operations.
On a separate agenda item tied to wastewater capital work, the board approved Resolution 24-278 to select Carrillo to design the wastewater treatment plant centrifuge project and authorized the mayor to execute a professional services agreement. Alderman Fitter proposed on-the-floor changes to add contact information for the city administrator and attorney and to replace alternative dispute resolution language with non-binding mediation. City Attorney Patrick Carter said his post-submittal contract review recommended the changes; the board approved the amendment and then approved the resolution 9-0.
Board members asked staff to proactively meet with regulators before receiving enforcement notices and to provide the board with timelines and cost estimates for both short-term fixes and longer-term capital work. Staff said they will seek meetings with regulatory authorities to explain recent work and ongoing corrective steps.
The board voted unanimously to amend and approve the Carrillo professional services agreement and directed staff to pursue regulator engagement and to return with implementation options.
