City puts off wastewater treatment repairs, for now

By LORRI SUGHROUE

McCook Daily Gazette

After much discussion, the McCook City Council rejected, for now, the idea of buying new equipment to replace a broken unit at the wastewater treatment facility, and decided to postpone any action until the Dec. 5 City Council meeting.

Council members asked Jesse Dutcher, Utilities Superintendent, to examine the submerged shaft in the meantime and decide if welding the broken piece would be a viable option.

Chris Miller of Miller and Associates told council members they have not disturbed the broken shaft to date, and wanted to wait until the end of October, when the required ammonia limits are less stringent. Allowable ammonia limits are less strict between November and May, he explained.

Miller also told Council members that the City of York had a similar shaft failure 10 years ago, and had welded the broken shaft. McCook wastewater treatment plant operators are willing to try this option, he said, if a hoist or crane can be built to lift the unit out of the treatment plant.

Councilman Bill Longnecker asked if welding the shaft was the most cost efficient solution for the city.

Dutcher agreed that the welding operation is doable and the least expensive of the options presented, but said there would be no guarantee of how long the welding would last. He estimated the cost of welding the unit would be $25,000 to $30,000. Replacement and installation of a new shaft was estimated at $115,000, with funds available in the contingency fund as part of the wastewater treatment plant improvement project.

Dutcher added that the 15 shafts at the facility are 27 years old, and that the manufacturer expects them to last about 18.

Councilman Aaron Kircher questioned whether the disks, which are rotated by the shaft, would have to be replaced as well. Dutcher said at this time there was no way of knowing for sure, until the shaft was lifted up and examined to see what kind of break, whether diagonal or straight, was sustained by the unit, and whether the disks could still work in that condition.

Kircher also asked that when the new Biological Aerated Filter system is completed on all disks, if this would extend the life and efficiency of the disks. Miller said yes, and that this system, which pumps air onto the units, reduces weight on the shafts and thereby increases performance and longevity of the units. Since the shaft break on Sept. 15, operators have increased aeration to the first disks in each row, he said, to reduce possible excess buildup. City Manager John Bingham added that this aeration process also reduces the ammonia limits to acceptable levels to be in compliance.

Councilman Jim Kenny asked if the broken shaft has affected the city in any way. Miller responded that as of now, the impact to the city was minimal, but if a business were to move to the area, the impact would increase significantly.

Councilman Kenny said the city hadn't grown in 40 years, that the city wouldn't start growing now, and recommended the city do nothing.

At first saying the city should just "bite the bullet" and to purchase and install new equipment, after further discussion Councilman Phil Lyons decided to make the motion, seconded by Kenny, to give wastewater treatment plant operators time to examine the broken shaft to see if welding is possible.

Before voting, Mayor Dennis Berry asked Miller and Dutcher if the purchase and installation of new equipment would still be possible by Dec. 5, if it was determined that welding the broken shaft was not a viable alternative.

Miller said equipment purchase and installation would still be achievable within their time limits.