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Rainier council adopts wastewater master plans, approves updated MAO required by DEQ
Summary
Council adopted the Wastewater Master Plan and Collections System Master Plan and approved an updated Mutual Agreement and Order (MAO) with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to meet flow‑reduction requirements and begin design and funding work for treatment‑plant upgrades.
The Rainier City Council voted unanimously among members present Feb. 3 to adopt the Wastewater Master Plan and Collections System Master Plan and to approve an updated Mutual Agreement and Order with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
Yarrow Murphy of Leeway Engineering told the council that "under the Mutual Agreement and Order (MAO), the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is requiring the City to reduce flows through a series of disconnections and fixes to its cleanouts and catch basins." City Engineer Preston Van Meter said the MAO schedule is achievable but listed required upgrades including improvements to the aeration basin and headworks, additional effluent pumps, and a new clarifier; a new solids building would replace a problematic centrifuge.
Councilors adopted the master plans to keep Rainier on the MAO timeline and to start securing project funding. Murphy and Van Meter said completing the upgrades will reduce flows into the plant and lessen later treatment work; the pre‑design report is due in September and consultant West Yost will begin that design work once funding is lined up. The presentation noted the city could use an older clarifier for septage receiving to generate revenue that would help service debt for the upgrades.
Mayor Jerry Cole and City Administrator W. Scott Jorgensen joined staff in describing next steps: applying for grants and fund exchanges, and pursuing design work to meet DEQ deadlines. The council approved the master plans and the updated MAO by roll call: Councilors Connie Budge, Robert duPlessis, Jeremy Howell and Mike Kreger voted in favor; three councilors were absent.
