Wastewater plant nears completion; 7-day clean-water test to start, 30-day wastewater tests planned

Wastewater treatment specialist Brian Moss told the council that most major civil and mechanical work at the new plant is complete and that vendors are finishing membrane-filter installation and integrating control systems. "Most of the processes are, like, as I said, near completion...the 7 day clean waters test is going to be starting tomorrow afternoon," Moss said, describing sequencing before the full wastewater tests.

Moss explained the commissioning plan: a 7-day internal clean-water loop test to exercise equipment and controls, followed by two consecutive 30-day wastewater test runs — the plant will run one side for 30 days and then switch to the other due to low flows. Moss also confirmed an on-line phosphorus analyzer for real-time monitoring during tests. Council members asked about timing and power demands; staff said the 30-day wastewater testing is likely to begin in early-to-mid December, and that some electrical loads will be reduced because only part of the plant will operate at a time during low-flow periods.

The council thanked plant staff and vendors for progress and asked that any operational or budgetary impacts observed during testing be reported back to the council. No formal action was taken; staff will report test outcomes and any issues to the council during the commissioning period.