The Madera City Council approved the purchase of two replacement gearboxes for the wastewater treatment plant’s aeration system, a move staff said is needed because the existing gearboxes have reached the end of their useful life.

City Manager Arnoldo Rodriguez explained the request is one of several concurrent wastewater projects, including an $8.8 million headworks reconstruction and design work on a wet well. For the gearbox purchase staff solicited an RFP and received three bids; staff recommended the low bidder, Westech, at an approximate cost of $145,000 for two units.

Rodriguez said the gearboxes transfer power from motors to the aerators in the oxidation ditches (three ditches, two gearboxes each) and that delivery is expected to take around six months while installation should take only a couple of days. He also described temporary measures the utility is using — rented rotating assemblies and other leased equipment — while other centrifuge and plant repairs are underway.

After questions from the council, the body approved the staff recommendation by unanimous vote.

The city manager said staff will install the new gearboxes upon delivery, monitor performance and then take additional ditches offline for inspection and potential replacement on a staged basis.