Decatur board approves switch to bulk chlorine system at water treatment plant

The Decatur board voted unanimously to proceed with replacing the water treatment plant's on-site electrochlorination system with a bulk sodium hypochlorite (liquid chlorine) system, citing lower maintenance and simpler operations.

The proposal, presented by Rusty, a city staff member, described a vendor-supplied arrangement using two 170-gallon tanks with remote monitoring and scheduled refill service. Rusty said the bulk system would reduce routine maintenance and the number of mechanical parts that can fail. "It's way less maintenance, way less headaches," Rusty said. He also noted the city could surplus the existing salt electrochlorination equipment once the new system was verified to be working.

Board members heard comparative cost and operational details during the discussion: staff referenced a vendor quote in the range of six figures for some options and a separate $115,000 figure for one replacement route, and said selling the existing system could offset costs. Staff also described a possible $15,000 backup sale option for the existing system that would raise the total. John, the plant operator, expressed caution because he had worked with the current system for many years and wanted assurance operations would be reliable after the change.

A motion "to proceed with the transfer over and whatever necessary steps need to be taken" was made and seconded; Alderman Meadows, Alderman Myers, Alderman Ainger, Alderman Peton and Alderman Roland recorded "yes" votes and the motion passed. The board directed staff to follow required permitting and engineering submission procedures and to return with any required design documentation for final administrative steps.

Why it matters: Staff said the change aims to lower recurring costs and reduce equipment downtime by relying on vendor-supplied chlorine with tank monitoring and refill service, rather than continued on-site salt electrochlorination that requires salt deliveries and more internal maintenance. The move will require engineer drawings and any regulatory filings before final installation.

Next steps: Staff will coordinate with the engineer, confirm vendor terms (including monitoring and refill schedules), submit drawings or permit materials as required, and return to the board with procurement details and a plan to surplus the existing system once the new system is operational.