By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
“It’s a dirty job but someone’s got to do it” is an old saying which rings true at Decatur’s wastewater treatment plant.
And at the plant, it’s the city employees who do the dirty work, producing considerable financial savings for the city and earning a considerable amount of praise.
The dirty work came up again at the latest board of works and safety meeting when Wastewater Superintendent Karey Fuelling was given approval to renovate four of the seven aeration tanks at the plant on Monmouth Road.
The other three were done several months back.
Fuelling said the four – like the other three were – are nearing the end of their 15-20 year life expectancy “and are not doing well.”
Sanitaire, of Charlotte, NC, gave the city two quotes for providing equipment for the work: $54,500 for two tanks or $94,720 for all four.
Purchasing the equipment for all four tanks will provide a savings of $14,2380 over doing two now and two next year.
Fuelling has funds in this year’s budget to do two tanks, but not four.
After some discussion, board member Craig Coshow moved to have all four done, using ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds to cover the two not budgeted. The board agreed.
Fuelling said it would probably be 16 or so weeks to get all that’s needed for the project and that the work needs to be done before winter.
Two tanks will be done first. “I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking all four out of service at one time,” Fuelling explained.
While Sanitaire will provide the equipment, city employees will perform the task … at a considerable savings to the city.
Their efforts provided “a significant savings” on the first three tanks, Mayor Dan Rickord said. He had previously estimated that savings at around $70,000.
Doing the next round of work “will save us thousands and thousands more,” he continued. “All our departments do this; it’s great.”
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