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DNR sanitary survey flags 21 deficiencies; city staff warn lift station and transfer switch need fixes
Summary
Utility staff told the Anamosa City Council that a recent DNR sanitary sewer survey identified 21 deficiencies across 15 evaluation sections, citing maintenance shortfalls, three bypasses in two years, an undersized lift station and a problematic transfer switch that may require capital work.
City utility staff reviewed a DNR sanitary sewer survey at the Aug. 11 Anamosa City Council meeting that identified 21 deficiencies across the facility evaluation and prompted questions about maintenance, staffing and capital improvements.
Steve Agnes, the utility superintendent, told the council the lift station serving part of the proposed annexation area "isn't built right." He warned: "if that development does go through, then the 1st thing the city is gonna have to do is totally is rip that lift station out and rebuild it because it's not built right." Agnes and councilmembers also discussed limited freeboard in the station, with Agnes noting "There's only about 18 inches of freeboard in this lift station." The deficiency list also includes machinery access problems — the lift station lacks rails to slide pumps for removal — and other operational shortcomings.
The DNR review, included in the council packet with HR Green's responses, grouped issues under a facility evaluation and a compliance summary. Staff said the survey's narrative notes emergency operation concerns related to a transfer switch at the main wastewater plant. Agnes said recent attempts at exercising the generator led to damage: "when it did that, it took out a VFD, and it took out a pump in the inflow." He explained electricians recommended a transfer unit with a pause feature to protect variable-frequency drives and pumps.
Council members pressed on whether the issues reflect maintenance backlog or larger capital needs. One councilmember observed many findings "look like maintenance issues" and asked if the city contracts out some services such as sludge handling; staff confirmed some work is contracted. Agnes said staffing constraints limit the public-works crew's ability to complete all preventive work, noting past turnover in temporary hires and currently having five full-time utilities employees plus one inmate worker.
On bypass events, staff said there were three sanitary bypasses in the two-year review window. City staff said they are seeking quotes for hardware replacements (for example, a revised transfer switch) and will prioritize fixes based on risk and available funds. The council and staff discussed that some items are operational/maintenance while others may require capital projects and outside contractor quotes.
The council did not take formal action at the meeting on specific capital expenditures beyond directing staff to seek quotes and return with further information; several members urged the city to assemble a plan to address both near-term maintenance and longer-term capital needs.
