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Council approves Wesler Engineering proposal to evaluate Berne's aging water plants
Summary
Council accepted a Wesler Engineering proposal (estimated $55k–$65k) to prepare a preliminary engineering report and an asset-management plan to evaluate Berne's two water plants, inform rehab vs. replacement options, and meet state asset-management requirements; the study timeline runs to draft in August and final in October.
The Berne City Council approved a proposal from Wesler Engineering to evaluate the town's two water treatment plants and prepare an asset-management plan and preliminary engineering report.
Adam Sfield, Wesler's senior project manager, told the council the two-part study will inventory plant assets, provide life-cycle cost estimates for rehabilitation versus replacement alternatives, and assess demand forecasts to inform capacity needs. The asset-management component will also add the town's vertical assets (wells, towers and treatment equipment) to the plan, helping Berne meet state requirements due by 2030.
Wesler explained the scope includes targeted inspections of filters, retention tanks and other major equipment to quantify condition beyond visual checks. The firm proposed a budget range of $55,000–$65,000 and a schedule that would deliver a draft in August and a final report by October when staffed at typical availability.
"If we do our job correctly, those two things come together and line up to the same conclusion," Adam Sfield said, describing how life-cycle estimates and asset scoring inform a long-term decision. Don, a utility staffer, described recent operational strain when one plant ran longer after a major outage and used that history to explain the importance of planning.
A motion to accept Wesler's proposal was made, seconded and passed by voice vote. Staff said the firm will invoice in phases and the city will pay from the water department operating fund as work is delivered.
What happens next: Wesler will kick off the study, coordinate inspections, and return to council with the draft findings and recommended alternatives for rehabilitation or replacement.
