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Council approves $327,765 upgrade for lift-station controls and telemetry, citing equipment obsolescence
Summary
Fort Atkinson council approved replacement of controls and telemetry at three lift stations and the main control building with a purchase not to exceed $327,765; staff said the equipment is obsolete, budgeted $350,000 in the 2026 CIP, and warned that a controls failure could stop pumps and cause basement flooding.
Wastewater superintendent Sweeney told the Fort Atkinson City Council on Feb. 3 that the controls and telemetry at the Sherman Avenue, Water Street and Memorial lift stations and the main control building are obsolete and increasingly difficult to maintain, and staff recommended replacing the integrated systems in a single phase. Sweeney said the 2026 capital improvements plan included $350,000 for the work and that staff received a quote of $322,465 from Melltronics covering controls, telemetry, partial installation, programming, testing and drawings; Electric Designs provided a related $5,300 proposal for removal and installation assistance.
Operational risk and rationale: Asked what would happen if controls fail, Sweeney said a controls failure could prevent pumps from running and put basements at risk: "If the pumps don't work, then we're back in our basements," he said, underscoring the operational and public-safety rationale for replacement.
Council action and procurement note: A council member moved to approve the purchase from AltaNex for a cost not to exceed $327,765, including work provided by Electric Designs; the motion carried by voice vote. The staff report notes Electronix is the utility's sole supplier for controls and telemetry and that all construction and installation contracts for system upgrades will be handled to ensure safe, timely work.
What happens next: Staff will proceed with procurement and scheduling so the new telemetry and control cabinets, variable frequency drives and generator connection points can be installed and integrated with the main control building's data collection and alarm systems.
