Council approves emergency duckweed treatment at sewer ponds, authorizes up to $13,000 pending cost details

The Hamilton County Town Council authorized an immediate application of an approved herbicide to kill duckweed at the town's sewer ponds and approved spending up to $13,000 if necessary, while asking staff to clarify whether the vendor quote includes all charges.

Chair (speaker 2) summarized the operational problem: the sewer plant is experiencing low oxygen and ammonia issues exacerbated by significant duckweed coverage. Staff recommended Clearbrook Technologies, a vendor already used for dosing at the lift station, to apply an approved herbicide directly from a boat to the affected ponds so the duckweed would die and settle, allowing sunlight and oxygenation to improve.

Committee member (speaker 3) moved to approve the quote ‘‘pending the explanation of partial cost’’ and to authorize spending up to $13,000 if the vendor's line-items require it. After discussion about the seasonal nature of duckweed, costs and longer-term aeration options, the council approved the motion by voice.

Council members raised aeration and other long-term fixes such as grant-funded state revolving loan options for financing plant upgrades, but agreed those would take time; the immediate need is to restore pond oxygen and reduce ammonia to meet treatment requirements. Staff said Clearbrook's product is approved for the plant and that the treatment is expected to resolve the major, immediate problem though retreatment or seasonal follow-up could be required.

The council asked staff to return with clarification on whether the quote was an all-in price or a partial application cost and to explore aeration or financing options for a longer-term solution.

The motion authorizes operational spending to address water-quality and compliance concerns and directs staff to report follow-up cost details to the council.