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Eldon officials: wastewater plant UV disinfection reactors submerged by flood, sampling and repairs underway
Summary
Public works staff reported the wastewater plant's UV disinfection reactors were submerged under about 7 feet of floodwater, are currently nonfunctional, and the city notified DNR; insurance and vendor assistance are pending and staff will return with repair options and cost estimates.
Matt, a city staff member, told the council the wastewater treatment plant experienced severe flooding that submerged the UV disinfection reactors under approximately 7 feet of water. "Our UV disinfection reactors were under 7 ft of flood water completely submerged and we're waiting on insurance and see what we can even do," Matt said, adding the units are not functional and the city has informed the Department of Natural Resources and will continue normal sampling.
Matt said the flood backed up flow in the plant and collection system; his 24-hour average flow was about 5 million gallons while effluent discharge was roughly 2.2 million gallons, leaving approximately 2.8 million gallons held in the system and the plant building flooded. A representative from the equipment vendor (Wrestler Associates) volunteered to assist once insurance provides guidance on allowable repairs; staff said the vendor has rebuilt the units before.
Council discussed temporary pumping options to reduce hydraulic pressure during extreme events and the need to update prior cost analyses. Matt said some budgeted funds exist but additional spending will likely be required for robust flood protection measures and interim pumping capacity.
Staff also reported a related water-system issue: valves at the water tower needed replacement. Crews were able to manually open a stuck valve, restoring tower function and avoiding an immediate $40,000 replacement cost; staff said two valves will require replacement and earlier work suggested each valve could cost roughly $7,000–$8,000, though final quotes are pending.
Next steps: staff will pursue vendor guidance and insurance direction for the UV reactors, provide updated cost estimates for pumping and valve repairs, and return to council with specific repair/replacement options and budget requests.
