Keokuk council hires Stanley Consultants to address EPA pretreatment compliance

The Keokuk City Council on Nov. 6 authorized the city to enter a professional services agreement with Stanley Consultants to manage the industrial pretreatment program, provide staff training and help the city address compliance shortfalls identified in a 2024 Environmental Protection Agency inspection.

City staff said the EPA report summarized several compliance deficiencies in the pretreatment program, referenced an administrative consent order issued to the city in 2023, and recommended greater staff familiarity with the enforcement response plan. "The report summarizes several compliance shortfalls of our pretreatment program...the report discussed progress that had been made in correcting deficiencies," the Chair said when presenting the item.

Under the proposed agreement Stanley Consultants would take over duties previously performed by ASCU Scientific Consulting and would focus on cross-training personnel so the city does not rely solely on an outside consultant for day-to-day implementation.

Why it matters: Pretreatment programs regulate industrial discharges to municipal sewer systems to protect treatment works and downstream water quality; EPA findings and an administrative consent order indicate regulatory risk and the need for corrective work. The contract aims to reduce regulatory risk by improving internal capacity.

Next steps: The contract was approved as presented. Staff said the costs are in budgeted categories but the overall professional services category may fluctuate year to year; the city will proceed with contract execution and onboarding of consultants.