Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Operations And Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
WPCA reports FST tank repaired, CIRMA reimbursement pending; SSES/I&I study procurement planned
Summary
The WPCA reported an FST tank cover repair completed with ~$181,000 in expenses submitted to CIRMA for reimbursement, favorable plant settling performance, nitrogen loading above the calendar permit YTD (29 lbs/day vs permit 25 lbs/day) and plans to issue an RFQ for an estimated $800,000 SSES/I&I study with 55% DEEP grant support.
Plant Superintendent Ted Donoghue told the Litchfield Water Pollution Control Authority on June 18 that the FST tank cover repair is complete and the tank is back online following the project. Approximately $181,000 in expenses have been submitted to CIRMA for reimbursement; the Authority expects to retain about 10% (roughly $18,000) as an adjuster’s fee and is awaiting final reimbursement of remaining invoices.
Donoghue reported current plant performance metrics and operational context: average daily flows are approximately 320,000 gallons per day under dry-weather conditions; sludge volume indices (SVIs) are near 150, indicating strong settling; seasonal phosphorus loading is about 9.8 pounds per day against a 9.97 lb/day limit; and year-to-date nitrogen loading is approximately 29 lbs/day against a calendar-year permit limit of 25 lbs/day. Donoghue said summer flows are expected to reduce the annual average nitrogen loading, noting no current notice of violation or consent order and that the plant has been in compliance overall in recent years.
The commission discussed the planned SSES/I&I study as the next major capital authorization. Chairman Chris Levesque said the Authority expects an estimated total project cost of about $800,000, with anticipated funding of 55% from a DEEP grant and 45% from a state loan — yielding an estimated net loan obligation to the Authority of roughly $350,000. The RFQ will require firms to propose base services (GIS, manhole inspections, CMOM plan, records assembly and preliminary design) and to provide hourly rates for optional final design and construction management tasks. The board noted the study must span a wet season for accurate high-flow data and that a final report is not expected in calendar year 2026.
Donoghue also reported staffing and procurement updates: one candidate holding a CDL applied for the operator-in-training position and interviews will be scheduled; two hourly employees are producing about $32,000 in year-to-date savings against the labor budget; blower replacement proposals have been received and will be reviewed with Public Works Director Raz Alexe; and consideration of a second vehicle was carried to the next meeting under the newly adopted capital outlay procedures.
Financial highlights presented at the meeting included current-year outstanding receivables of roughly $141,330 (about 10% of the operating budget) and an existing sewer capital replacement fund balance near $181,400, which CIRMA reimbursement is expected to partially restore. Donoghue said historical receivables are estimated between $315,000 and $350,000 and that applying the new collection policy could materially improve the Authority’s financial position.
The commission expressed appreciation to the project team and the CIRMA adjuster for facilitating the repair and reimbursement process.
