Minutes 03/25/1980 - Laserfiche WebLink

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t. _..a, TUESDAY MARCH 25, 1980 ,- In the Citizens' Meeting last week, Mr. Clingenpeel suggested that a pumping station and about a mile of pipe would permit the Martinsville system to take advantage of Koehler's excess capacity. Also, in the Citizens' Meeting, it was strongly suggested that the City obtain a second opinion from Engineering Consultants regarding the operation and design of the City Plant. After looking at the Koehler plant, this appears to be a sound suggestion. I appreciate the time taken by the plant people to show me around. I am sure that the P.S.A. would welcome other visitors. -, (4) As I approached the City's plant, the first sign read "City of Martinsville, Water Pollution Control Plant, Visitors Welcome." The next group of signs, mounted on two gates across the road, read, "Stop, City of Martinsville Water Pollution Control Plant, No Trespassing or Loitering, Authorized Personnel Only." Truck loads of sludge piled along the roadside or near the Smith River gave off a disagreeable odor. In the parlance of the professionals, these piles were "ripe." The effluent discharging into the river looked similar to the raw sewage coming into the plant. This plant has a capacity of 6.0 m.g.d. With the additional 1.0 m.g.d. from the lagoon, it is theoretically processing at 83% of its capacity. Last Friday, this plant was out of control, in my oplnlon. It was polluting the air, the water and the land. It was still polluting the air at the entrance to the Forest Park Country Club at 6:00 P.M. Sunday evening. The City's methods of processing the sludge are or have been inadequate. weather contribute to the problem. solids and disposing of Apparently, snow and wet The decision to accept the lagoon waste compounded the problem. I have real reservations about this decision. I have been led to believe that the Public Works Department is tackling the problem and the problem will be solved. I accept this in terms of 'short range' but I think that Council should concern itself with some longer range aspects of the problem. (5) Another question asked (and an important one) in the Citizens' Meeting the other night: "Is the City legally bound to accept the extra sewage?"