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Utilities report flags $17,000 impeller cost, aging SCADA and water-main realignment savings
Summary
Utility staff told the village board that a wastewater impeller replacement is priced near $17,000, discussed options to extend impeller life with epoxy wear layers, reported replacement of corroded cast-iron pipes, and said a planned water-main alignment may avoid an expensive railroad crossing; the aging SCADA system was also cited as a future upgrade need.
Rick (utilities staff) told the board that wastewater operations encountered a worn pump impeller with replacement quoted around $17,000 — a typical but significant wastewater-industry cost. Rick said staff are exploring applying an epoxy "wear layer" to extend impeller life and that the plant had sent impellers to a shop for evaluation. "If we can get it to last longer, we're game," he said, describing the high daily flow volumes and abrasive materials that wear impellers.
Rick also reported that cast-iron pipes near the plant were replaced after failures and that a planned water-main alignment may avoid re-crossing the railroad tracks, which would save the village substantial money; he said staff expect more precise cost figures from SEH engineer Eric. Utilities staff described older SCADA infrastructure (installed in 2001) as nearing obsolescence and suggested future investments in upgrades would be necessary for reliability.
Public works (Todd) and utilities staff answered board questions about prioritization of sidewalk and road snow removal, building furnace failures and the possibility of adding a second furnace or alternate heating solutions for shop spaces, and ongoing capital maintenance projects. Utilities staff invited board members for a plant tour and noted the department had negotiated repairs and ordered replacement cylinders and parts to keep systems operating while seeking longer-term solutions.
Why it matters: Aging infrastructure and single-source replacement parts can create urgent budget and operational choices for small utilities. The impeller quote and SCADA age flag potential near-term capital needs that could affect rates or capital budgets.
Next steps: Staff said they will continue to evaluate epoxy wear layers, obtain firm replacement quotes, coordinate with SEH on the water-main alignment and report back with cost estimates.
