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Oglethorpe council flags EPD-permit risk as wastewater de‑sludging proceeds
Summary
HWR Jeff Harrison told the council the city will de‑sludge a pond by building a dike and noted concerns about remaining compliant with its EPD permit; council asked staff to pursue an engineering contract that limits city liability and scheduled a called meeting to resolve the issue.
HWR Jeff Harrison reported that the city replaced several water meters, worked on lift stations and plans to de‑sludge a pond by building a dike as part of ongoing wastewater-plant work. He told the council the work is underway but raised concerns about staying in compliance with the city’s current EPD permit and the risk of fines if permit conditions are not met.
Mayor Daniels and Councilmember Harrison discussed asking the engineering firm to agree in writing that the city would not be held financially responsible for penalties resulting from the contractor’s actions. Council agreed a called meeting will be needed to review liability language and next steps before work proceeds further.
Jeff Harrison said the project’s timing had an offsetting benefit: the city now has access to roughly $3 million more in grant funding than it would have two years ago, a development council members described as a positive for covering project costs.
The council did not take a formal vote on contract language at the work session; members directed staff to prepare materials for a called meeting to clarify engineering responsibilities and potential exposure under the EPD permit.
