Minutes 01/24/1984 - Laserfiche WebLink

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)~4 ",0 TUESDAY JANUARY 24, 1984 operational costs and problems of our plant and the constraints of the various state and, by extension, federal regulatory agencies. There aren't too many arguments about these knowns. But all the rest, about which the debate has swirled almost endlessly, are assumptions, projections and estimates as to the future. To illustrate, the City's entire approach to this matter is based on a single projection of need--that we will require 7.60 MGD of sewage treatment capacity within the next 20 years, or 3.60 MGD more than we have now. If one chooses to question or reject that basic projection, then all bets are off and one can then prove almost anything. Historical Background The City and P.S.A.'s partnership in the City's plant was a shot- gun marriage, mandated largely by the Environmental Protection Agency in connection with federal funding in the early '70's. But the current situation is actually rooted in the need for additional capacity and in odor complaints about the plant beginning in the late '70's and culminating in a major plant breakdown in Spring, 1980. The Council departed from its long-standing dependency on Wiley & Wilson, Consulting Engineers, and contracted with another firm, Dewberry, Nealon & Davis, for an independent review of the City plant and its problems. After a study and tests of several months, Dewberry, Nealon & Davis submitted a lengthy final report in November, 1980. In short, the recommendations were to: 1. Develop an industrial monitoring and pretreatment program in accordance with federal standards. 2. Install a twin belt filter press for digested sludge dewatering. 3. Install two dissolved air flotation units for thickening of waste sludges. 4. Add plant staff. The report concluded, "In making these recommendations, consideration has been given to the fact that the City will soon be faced with a major expansion of its wastewater treatment facilities. However, in formulating these recommendations this fact does not override the fact that severe limitations presently exist at the wastewater treatment facilities and the need for prompt and substantial action on behalf of the City." Thus was born the idea of "interim" improvements at the plant, that could be quickly installed as an initial response to the odor problem. The City and P.S.A. have been actively discussing expansion of the City's plant ever since the Dewberry, Nealon & Davis report and for over three years.