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Board hears options to reduce wastewater upgrade estimate from $10.8M to about $5.5M with phased work
Summary
Staff and engineers presented a staged wastewater treatment plan with a lower‑cost package (~$5.5M) compared with an earlier $10.8M estimate, discussed solids handling options and grant/loan timing, and flagged aeration/centrate improvements that could support growth in the Eastern Corridor.
Trustees received a technical briefing on the wastewater treatment plant’s needs, costs and options. Engineering consultants and staff explained that a full, comprehensive upgrades package previously estimated at roughly $10.8 million had been refined: a targeted list of improvements including aeration upgrades, solids handling (screw press as an alternative to centrifuge) and other process optimizations now totals about $5.5 million in the current engineering scope.
Staff emphasized the tradeoffs: a larger, more thorough project provides more future capacity and lower long‑term operating cost but carries significantly higher upfront cost and may lengthen project permitting and design. Conversely, a targeted, phased approach could address immediate operational deficiencies — such as aeration inefficiency and high‑strength waste handling — for less money now, with the possibility of adding capacity later if growth requires it.
Funding options discussed included a pending congressional directed spending request (staff hopeful of an award by year‑end), state loans and grants, and targeted capital budgeting. Trustees asked for more detail on design percentage needed to strengthen loan/grant applications; staff said higher design completeness (closer to 90%) increases competitiveness for some funding streams. The board directed staff to continue refining scope and funding scenarios and to monitor grant/loan application windows.
