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Blair flags wastewater capacity and aging plant equipment; staff recommend study and rate review
Summary
Public‑works staff told the council the wastewater treatment plant has exceeded its design thresholds several times in recent years, prompting a recommended capacity study and a package of maintenance and equipment replacements (including ~$900,000 CO2 tank replacement). Staff said the wastewater fund shows a structural gap and that rate and billing options will be studied.
City public‑works staff told the council at the June 30 workshop that Blair’s wastewater system faces both a capacity and a deferred‑maintenance problem that require near‑term attention. Staff recommended a formal capacity study at the wastewater plant to inform decisions about upgrades, assessments and possible rate adjustments.
"We've exceeded that several times over the last five years," CJ said of the plant’s operating volume, explaining why the city needs a capacity and condition review before committing to new development hookups. The presentation noted that some infrastructure elements — screens, pumps, aeration equipment and process piping — are decades old and that several replacements and repairs will be costly.
Major near‑term items highlighted in staff materials included a consultant capacity review (budgeted in the packet), replacement of corroded CO2 tanks (quote near $900,000), and the need to plan for debt service and band payments tied to prior plant investments. Staff also noted user‑fee revenue comes heavily from a small number of large industrial customers, and recommended water/sewer committee work on whether billing formats and rate structure should be adjusted to better match cost causation.
Next steps: staff said they will bring a detailed capital‑needs timeline and several rate scenarios to the water & sewer committee; options may include targeted rate increases earlier than previously planned, grant pursuit, or cuts to smaller operating elements. The council did not approve any capital outlays at the workshop.
Ending: Public‑works staff asked the council for direction on timing and priorities so the capacity study and maintenance schedule can be completed and incorporated into the FY2026–27 budget before final adoption.
