Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Atkins schedules work session after DNR flags major deficiency at water treatment facility
Summary
A Department of Natural Resources audit elevated a repeated deficiency at Atkins' water treatment facility to a "major deficiency." Council members agreed to seek bids, keep DNR informed and schedule a focused work session to develop a remediation plan; DNR offered to consider extension requests.
A Department of Natural Resources audit of Atkins' water treatment facility has identified multiple deficiencies and elevated a repeated item to a "major deficiency," prompting the council to schedule a focused work session and begin pursuing bids to make repairs.
In other business a council member reported that, after reviewing the DNR audit, the auditor expressed particular concern about a repeat item—described as related to the old water tower and water-source protection—and asked the city for a response on the major issue by March 6. The council member said the auditor offered to work with the city on extensions if more time is needed and urged the council to keep DNR informed throughout the corrective process.
City Administrator Flory and council members discussed the practical next steps: obtaining contractor bids (the administrator said he could contact firms that produced prior studies), prioritizing the major deficiency, and packaging a response plan that could address several smaller items while crews work on the larger repair. One council member suggested a work session limited to the audit and major deficiency so the council could develop a "game plan" for staffing, bidding and sequencing repairs.
The council emphasized that the DNR's concern does not, in the speakers' words, mean the city's drinking water is known to be contaminated; rather, the deficiency relates to a condition the auditor believes could be a potential source of contamination if left unaddressed. The auditor's elevation of the item to "major deficiency" reflects repeated findings on prior audits and triggered the requested response timeline.
Next steps: council members asked staff to solicit bids for the tower and related work, keep DNR informed about progress and schedule a work session (the council discussed meeting on the second [date placeholder], with the intent of producing a response and, if necessary, resolutions or contract authorizations at a subsequent meeting).
