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Superintendent warns of failing aerators and filter‑control problems after 25 tons of solids removal
Summary
In the superintendent's report, staff said one filter tank's controls failed to restart after a wash, original aerators from 1972 are failing and causing solids buildup, and crews removed about 25 tons of solids. Staff will get quotes for new aerators and a technician will assess control panels.
The superintendent reported July 21 that the town’s wastewater plant is experiencing equipment problems that have contributed to solids accumulation and require near‑term attention.
"The plant is doing okay," the superintendent began, then detailed recent failures: one of two filter tanks failed to come back online after a wash cycle and some electronic valve motors are not working. Staff said they have been able to "cob things through" but that a vendor tech will do an assessment. The superintendent said he has arranged for Dan Pratt to perform an assessment of the controls.
The commission heard that crews removed "a little over 25 tons" of solids from the digester during cleaning, and staff pointed to failing aerators — some original to the plant (installed around 1972) — as the likely cause. The superintendent said the plant team has requested three quotes to replace aerators and that some replacements could be done in‑house if the quotes align.
Staff also described incremental automation and monitoring upgrades: a new control panel is planned, with a modest additional pH monitoring option (quoted at about $1,000), and the potential to add chlorine and fluoride analyzers and SCADA monitoring later. The commission discussed lifespan questions for existing equipment and prioritized identifying the most cost‑effective replacements while preserving system reliability.
Next steps: staff will obtain the requested quotes for aeration equipment, have a technician assess control panels, and return with recommendations and cost estimates for commission consideration.
