Council approves multiple water and wastewater upgrades, including design for second intake

The Wyoming City Council on April 20 approved several water and wastewater infrastructure items including a low bid to rehabilitate primary clarifier tanks at the wastewater treatment plant, replacement of drinking-water transfer pumps, and acceptance of final design services for a second raw water intake.

Staff said the low bid for clarifier labor was just over $3,900,000; the work covers replacing equipment and the interior coating of four primary clarifier tanks, with contingencies because the tanks’ interior condition will only be known once coatings are removed. The clarifier work is expected to start this summer and extend into 2027.

Council also approved replacement of two transfer pumps at the drinking water plant (pumps 3 and 4), which staff said are original to the 1960s, and accepted a Fishback proposal for final design and permitting work on a second raw water intake. The intake design is part of the city’s capital improvement plan with construction planned for fiscal 2029; staff emphasized the extensive permitting and multiagency coordination required for intake work.

Staff outlined cost-sharing under the current contract, saying Wyoming presently covers about 57% of intake-related costs, with wholesale customers and Ottawa County responsible for the balance; the city's share allocation may change under a future contract and bonding plan. Council members asked about timing, funding sources and which funds pay for design versus construction; staff said intake design work will be paid from the water fund, while construction funding will be addressed in the FY2029 budget process.

Each item was approved on roll call.