Inspection finds failing pump at Tollchester station; county to buy temporary trailer-mounted pump

County public-works staff told commissioners an inspection found one of two pumps at Tollchester Pump Station No. 2 losing suction because the pump floor and intake had begun to separate, leaving the station operating on a single pump.

Dan Mattson, director of public works (water and wastewater), said the condition increases wear on the remaining pump and creates a risk if that pump fails. "When that happens, the pump loses suction. It cannot obtain proper suction," Mattson said. He told commissioners the replacement pump-station skid is in the FY26 capital improvement plan, but because the failure was discovered during inspection last week, staff will expedite the purchase of a trailer-mounted trash pump (already budgeted) to use temporarily at the site. The trailer unit will include sound attenuation because the station is in a residential area.

Mattson said the emergency procurement would speed availability by roughly six to eight weeks compared with the normal procurement timeline; the full pump-station replacement is expected to take three to four months. Because the purchase amount exceeded the director’s usual authorization, staff informed the commissioners for awareness; staff said the cost is within the established budget and no separate motion was required.