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Council approves design agreement for temporary wastewater-treatment site tied to incoming dairy facility
Summary
The Seward City Council approved a design-services agreement with Shimmer Associates to prepare a temporary wastewater-treatment site at the Second Street lift station to handle increased organic load from an incoming dairy-processing facility; staff outlined a phased schedule and permitting needs, while the contract amount in the transcript is unclear.
The Seward City Council voted unanimously to approve a design-services agreement with Shimmer Associates for the Second Street lift station temporary-treatment site, a stopgap measure city staff said is required while the new wastewater treatment plant is completed.
Public Works presenter Mike told the council the city is preparing phased site work so rented treatment equipment can be deployed ahead of a larger plant upgrade. "This phase here involves getting the site work ready... it includes floodplain permitting, survey work, buried piping and concrete pads," he said, and added the goal of having equipment installed and operational by June or July, depending on permitting and delivery schedules. Mike also said the dairy processing facility plans to begin discharging March 1st, which is driving an accelerated schedule for site preparation and temporary treatment.
Aqua Robus was identified as the equipment provider for the rented treatment system; staff said an earlier council action approved the rental agreement for the equipment. Shimmer Associates was presented as the design engineer to handle permitting and site preparation; council approved the agreement after staff explained the need for an accelerated timeline and Shimmer’s familiarity with floodplain permitting. The figure for the design contract is unclear in the meeting transcript (the agenda/read text contains inconsistent numeric formatting); council approved the agreement as presented.
Why it matters: The temporary treatment installation is intended to reduce organic loading from a new industrial discharge while the city completes a longer-term wastewater plant upgrade. Floodplain permitting, easement coordination with property owners and timely equipment delivery are necessary to meet the stated operational timeline.
Next steps: Staff will begin floodplain permitting and final surveys, prepare the site for equipment delivery and report back to council on permitting milestones and construction progress.
