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Florence celebrates closure of South plant consent order and approves new sewer cleaner
Summary
Council and staff marked the successful closure of the South Wastewater Treatment Plant consent order and approved purchase of a Vaccon combination sewer cleaner (about $679,748) to support required preventive cleaning, citing improved response capability and operator training.
Town officials and the council used the April 21 meeting to mark a milestone in the town’s wastewater program and to approve a major maintenance purchase.
Director Jonathan (transcript: Jonathan Tumi) told the council the town achieved the "successful closure of this consent order at the South Wastewater Treatment Plant," praising staff, contractors and outside consultants for the effort that, he said, "was no small task." Council members and the town manager recognized individual staff and outside partners by name for their roles in returning the plant to compliance.
Later in the meeting Jonathan asked the council to authorize purchase of a new Vaccon truck‑mounted combination sewer cleaner (a double‑engine unit) to improve preventive maintenance and emergency response. He told the council the unit is designed to clean sewer lines, vacuum debris, support hydro‑excavation and protect downstream treatment plant equipment. Jonathan said buying new gives the town a warranty package (water tank, fan blade and pump warranties) and vendor training for staff; used units often lack transferable warranties and can be heavily worn.
Town staff and council discussed the operational rationale and budget context. Town Manager Bruce Walls and council members noted contractors can charge several thousand dollars per response and that contractor response times can be four hours or more in emergencies — delays Jonathan said the town could reduce by owning the specialized equipment. Council members emphasized the need for preventive maintenance and raised concerns about the wastewater fund balance and whether used equipment might be a lower‑cost alternative.
After discussion the council voted to approve the purchase as presented (motion language in the record set the amount not to exceed $679,748). The purchase resolution included staff assurances that crews will be trained on the equipment and that the truck will be used routinely to clean lines and protect plant operations.
Council also approved a separate change order later in the meeting (Well 5B rebuild) related to water system repairs, which staff described as an additional step to get that well operational after pump cavitation during initial startup.
