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Council approves wastewater chemical and polymer bids; staff outlines cart rollout and drop-off fee changes
Summary
The Board of Public Works recommended, and the council approved, low bids for ferric chloride and a polymer for wastewater treatment; the council also approved 2025 drop-off center fee adjustments and staff announced an imminent cart-selection rollout for eligible households, with resident selection due Dec. 30.
The Waukesha Common Council on Dec. 3 approved procurement recommendations from the Board of Public Works and received operational updates on solid-waste carts and drop-off center fees.
Board recommendations approved by the council included a low bid from Kamira for ferric chloride at $3,025 per dry ton for phosphorus removal and a low bid from SNF Water Science for a sludge-dewatering polymer (product Chlorific CE 17 95) at $1.85 per pound. Council members moved and seconded the bids and the motions passed unanimously.
On solid-waste operations, staff reported they are finalizing contract changes with Waste Management and will place an order for new automated-pickup carts. Eligible households that currently have carts and automated pickup will receive outreach beginning Dec. 4; residents may select small, medium or large carts for garbage and recycling. The largest garbage cart carries a $15 upfront fee; residents must make selections by Dec. 30. After that date, changing cart size will trigger a $75 swap fee because contractors will have already staged deliveries.
The Board also proposed adjustments to the drop-off center (DOC) fee schedule for 2025 to cover a roughly 12% increase in hauling contract costs, anticipate higher tonnage under new bulky-item rules and move the center toward budget neutrality over three to five years. The board did not support a proposed change to the senior discount age; staff confirmed there would be no change to senior discount age under the recommended schedule. The council voted to approve the price adjustment table (as attached to the agenda packet) unanimously.
What happens next: staff will send selection links and mailers to eligible households and will present usage/tonnage data on leaf collection at a future (January) council meeting. Contract administration and implementation will proceed with Waste Management.
