[ back ]
Sewage-plant cost estimated at $6.6 million
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - January 07, 2010)
Sewage-plant cost estimated at $6.6 million
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Burton Village's board of public affairs agreed last week to go with an estimated $6.6 million upgrade of its sewage-treatment plant.
The board reached a unanimous consensus on a conventional treatment plant after discussing its merits compared to using newer technology known as submerged membranes. The newer technology was estimated to cost $7.4 million.
The upgrade is needed to handle increased flows to the treatment plant located in the southern part of the village.
Said Abouabdallah, director of water resources for Arcadis, of Cleveland, said the village has been seeing an increase in flows to the treatment plant each year.
Mr. Abouabdallah said the village has been experiencing "excessive" inflow and infiltration into the system, which increases the amount the treatment plant must handle. While there is excessive inflow and infiltration, he said, the plant is still able to handle it and no homes are being flooded. He said it will reach a point, however, when it will no longer be able to handle the increasing flows.
Inflow is the water that enters the sanitary sewer system from improper connections, such as downspouts and sump pumps. Infiltration is ground water that enters the system through leaks in the pipes and laterals.
The board agreed to implement the plant upgrade in phases, with the first phase estimated to cost in the neighborhood of $2 million.
Mr. Abouabdallah said the village had the option of attempting to fix all the leaks or improper connections. He said he only could guess what the cost would be based on the age of the system and what improvements have been made.
He said an investigation of the system to determine what repairs are necessary would cost an estimated $138,000. The village has an estimated 2,500 feet of sewers, he said.
Based on the estimated 600 connections to the system, Mr. Abouabdallah said that attempting to fix the inflow and infiltration could cost upwards of $1.5 million.
Board member Curt Johnson said the village could spend the $1.5 million and still have to make improvements at the treatment plant.
The existing plant has a capacity of 270,000 gallons a day, while the upgraded plant will have a capacity of 400,000 gallons, Mr. Abouabdallah said.
Mr. Abouabdallah said the conventional system offers the village a chance to continue operating the treatment plant without re-training staff. And, he said, most treatment plants in the area are operating with conventional systems, which allows workers to consult with other area operators.
The newer technology would require additional hours for workers, who must familiarize themselves with the new operation.
Mayor Thomas Blair Sr. said, while he is inclined to use newer technology, he had concerns over costs. He said the membrane technology requires more electricity than the conventional system.
Mr. Johnson said he would like to apply for stimulus money as a way to offset the village's costs.
Mr. Abouabdallah said any hope for receiving stimulus money would require an application to be ready by March 1.
Board member Kenneth Kleve said the board has set aside $400,000 to $450,000 for the project from rate increases.
Board member Brian Johnston said the board has attempted to be sensitive to residents' ability to afford the upgrades to the system. "We're really concerned about the burden on residents and businesses in this economy," he said. "It's almost were stalemated on which way to go."
Village Engineer George "Chip" Hess said in addition to the upgrades, the village likely faces additional costs on the project. He said some parts of the plant are now 30 to 40 years old. He said the village will have to consider general maintenance to certain equipment as it moves through each phase of the upgrade.
Mr. Hess said the village could apply for up to $500,000 in Issue 2 money. He said applications are due in March and the money would be released in July 2011.
Mr. Johnson said an initial phase of around $2 million should be manageable for the village. "That's workable," he said.
[ back ]
