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Molalla wastewater project on schedule; staff highlight plant upgrades, training and biosolids plan
Summary
Staff reported construction progress on the new wastewater treatment plant, operator training partnerships and plans to remove biosolids this summer; staff noted operational changes including a move to ultraviolet disinfection and automation that could change operating costs.
Seth Kelly, the city's water/wastewater operations lead, told the council the wastewater treatment plant project is progressing on schedule, with key pours and micropile foundations completed and site piping and pump upgrades under way.
Kelly highlighted recent technical training hosted on site by Westech Engineering that provided both classroom instruction and hands‑on practice. He described elements of the new plant — mixed media filters, a UV disinfection bay, a screw press for dewatering biosolids, and an SBR (sequencing batch reactor) footprint — and said biosolids removal to create a clean effluent pond is expected this summer.
Councilors asked about staffing and operational impacts. Kelly said the plant will remain staffed but automation (SCADA and tablet integration) will allow remote adjustments and efficiency. On disinfection he said annual chemical costs for chlorine and related supplies currently run about $280,000–$295,000 and will largely disappear under UV, though power costs will rise. "That cost will pretty much dissipate, but then, some portion of that will be offset by increased electrical fees," he said.
Next steps: staff will continue construction oversight, begin biosolids removal in the near term as funding allows, and present any budget or staffing implications as the project progresses.
