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Malden board hears clogged lift stations, pump failure and DNR inspection issues
Summary
Public Works Superintendent Kurt Krepps told the Malden Board of Public Works that lift stations are repeatedly clogging with baby wipes and grease, a pump failed and a replacement is on the way, and the Department of Natural Resources flagged several compliance items with a 120-day remediation window.
Public Works Superintendent Kurt Krepps told the Malden Board of Public Works on March 31 that the city's wastewater lift stations have been repeatedly fouled by baby wipes and grease, forcing emergency excavation and cleanouts and contributing to a pump failure.
Krepps said the Palo Verde lift station developed an estimated 4-foot-thick crust of wipes that crews had to break with an excavator; crews resumed cleanup the following day when they found about a 2-foot crust remaining. He said a pump "blew up" and a replacement pump is expected to arrive from Memphis. Krepps also reported the Davis lift station was stopping up with baby wipes, grease and raw sewage, while Gray and Hamra stations have been repaired and the MLK station is nearly finished.
Krepps told the board a vendor, identified in the packet as Vandevanter, asked for photos of the bottom of a lift station where float rails are located, but staff lacked time to plug, vacuum and power-wash the area to provide those images.
Separately, Krepps said the Department of Natural Resources inspection produced a list of issues including the absence of an engineer report for well #4, concerns about tower vents and sample points, well surging and packing for well #5. He said the city has been given 120 days to address the items and that some corrections are already underway.
Krepps also reported staffing shortfalls: operator Jason Burge resigned and Michael Pridemore left to work for Dig-Rite; two candidates are under consideration pending drug-test results. He said the vac truck is under repair, the skid steer is fixed and back in service, and that ongoing chlorination items remain unchanged.
Board members did not vote on any specific remedial measures during the meeting; Duckett and other board members asked staff to proceed with required repairs and to return with cost estimates and timelines. The board recorded no formal motion on DNR items at this session.
The board's next step is for staff to follow the 120-day notice from the Department of Natural Resources and report back with progress and cost estimates at a subsequent meeting.
