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Council selects Krebs for wastewater design and approves sludge disposal contract; staff to clarify downstream use
Summary
Council approved selecting Krebs Engineering for phase‑2 wastewater design and authorized a $70/ton, one‑year sludge transportation/disposal contract with the Baldwin County Solid Waste Authority (estimated $350,000). Council asked staff to confirm how the county ultimately treats or disposes of the dewatered sludge, citing PFAS and microplastic concerns raised by a resident.
On Dec. 8 the Fairhope City Council approved two items affecting wastewater treatment: the selection of Krebs Engineering for professional design services for phase‑2 upgrades, and a one‑year agreement to transport and dispose of dewatered wastewater sludge with the Solid Waste Authority of Baldwin County at $70 per ton (estimated annual cost $350,000).
Daryl (public‑works staff) presented the phase‑2 procurement and said staff had vetted comparable prices and recommended Krebs. Council approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Sherry Sullivan to negotiate a not‑to‑exceed fee to be brought back to council for approval.
During public comment, resident Gary Gover expressed concerns that land‑applied biosolids can contain microplastics and PFAS and asked whether sludge used as agricultural compost could reintroduce those compounds into food chains. Daryl replied that current contracts (e.g., Green South) press sludge and that disposal practices are governed by state regulations; he said staff would confirm with the county what the Solid Waste Authority intends to do with the material under the proposed contract.
Council then approved the sludge transportation/disposal resolution by voice vote. Several councilors asked staff to follow up with the Solid Waste Authority and provide clarity to the public about whether the material will be land‑applied, landfilled or otherwise handled, and what safeguards and testing are used for regulated contaminants.
Staff also provided a separate update on the Headworks project (phase‑1) stating it was roughly 30% complete with an expected headworks online date of April 30; work had encountered and resolved drainage relocation issues.
