Council OKs up to $300,000 for solids‑handling design at Rarity Ridge plant; members press DOE dewatering, technetium concerns

The Oak Ridge City Council authorized a professional services agreement with Fox PE LLC (Nashville) not to exceed $300,000 to design solids handling improvements at the Rarity Ridge Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Staff explained the plant currently lacks a solids handling system and, while DOE is providing temporary dewatering equipment and hauling sludge offsite, the city needs a permanent dewatering and disposal solution when those measures end. "Right now, we don't have solids handling," said staff, adding the council has a window to pursue cost‑sharing with DOE for design and implementation.

Several council members raised technical and environmental concerns. One council member asked whether aggressive dewatering by DOE could transfer technetium‑99 from solids into discharged water and thereby spread radioactivity locally. The council member said she was concerned that dewatering might reduce the mass shipped out of region but leave soluble technetium in water that could be discharged to the Clinch River unless sampling and treatment are handled carefully.

Staff acknowledged the point and agreed to raise sampling and monitoring with DOE; they said the long‑term plan is to dewater so that residuals can be landfilled, consistent with handling at the Turtle Park plant. Staff also said the design under consideration is intended to be compatible with planned future upgrades to the plant.

The resolution to authorize design services passed by voice vote (7–0). Council requested staff report back with the proposed sampling program and any assurances about how dewatered effluent will be tested or treated before discharge.

Next steps: Fox PE LLC will prepare design documents; staff will coordinate a sampling and monitoring plan and report to council.