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Council declares emergency to remove biosolids at wastewater plant; staff authorized to waive bidding
Summary
Citing full capacity at the wastewater plant and operational risks to permits, council adopted an emergency resolution authorizing the procurement of removal, dewatering and staging services to abate biosolids storage issues; staff said the work is budgeted and expected to take about 80 days.
Water staff explained that biosolids (sludge) at the wastewater treatment plant have filled storage capacity and are causing operational problems that could jeopardize compliance with the Department of Ecology permit. The council adopted Resolution 26‑7‑62 to declare an emergency, waive competitive bidding, and authorize the municipal service director to procure equipment and services to remove, dewater and stage the biosolids.
"We, in the situation right now, are full to the brim. It's causing now operational problems, which could cause us troubles with the Department of Ecology, so we've now had to go to emergency action to get folks on‑site quickly to take care of the solids," Water staff said. Council asked whether the work was budgeted and how long the emergency contract would run; staff said the work was budgeted, a solicitation had received two proposals and the selected contractor was the best, lowest‑cost responsive bidder. The contract work is expected to last about 80 days.
Council approved the resolution without further amendment. Staff said the city will perform more regular removals going forward to avoid similar emergencies; staff noted the last removal occurred in 2023.
