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SALEM -- The utilities commission received favorable updates on several of the department's projects in its May meeting.
Following approval to move forward with bidding from city council in its May 1 meeting, it was announced that bids for the five SolarBee units to be installed in the city's freshwater reservoirs to combat annual algae bloom issues will officially open June 6. A representative from Benesch Engineering said that this should give the department time to receive and install the equipment to effectively curtail this year's algae blooms.
The positive news continued as it was announced the long stalled geotechnical study needed to ensure the stability of the foundation at the water treatment plant prior to further work on phase one of water treatment plant improvements had been completed and the findings would be included in the project specifications, meaning work can begin on the project in earnest again soon.
Commission Chairman Bob Hodgson announced that while the department had not received the congressional funding for the project they had applied for, the congressional staff "were very enthusiastic about the project" and wanted to work with the department to develop a stronger application for when the next round of funding begins in a few months. Hodgson also announced that the department had received a $221,094 grant from Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association for the phase one improvements.
Progress also continues on phase three improvements at the wastewater treatment plant. Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager Dean Stokes said that Stanley Miller Construction was currently conducting work on the plant's primary sludge digestor and associated piping, and that it was planned to begin installing new piping soon. Stokes also said that the plants blowers were experiencing mechanical issues, noting that four were currently still working while pricing for repairs on the fifth blower was currently being developed.
Hodgson said that the department's ethos toward equipment management is moving toward one of preventative care, addressing issues before they become severe and more costly as a result. Hodgson said that the plant will develop cost proposals for repairs for each of the five units one by one to ensure all can be repaired properly without any significant breakdowns.
Plans for the Goshen Road water circulation main have been compiled by Howells and Baird Inc. and reviewed by the department with final updates pending. Once completed the plans will be sent to the Columbiana County Engineering Department for approval or modification. Following county approval the plans will be submitted to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to seek a permit to install.
The department also received the long-delayed quote for the inspection and cleaning of the Stewart Road potable water storage tank from Liquid Engineering for $17,080. Assistant Utilities Superintendent Butch Donnalley said that once the work on Stewart Road is completed, they will pursue and estimate for the inspection and cleaning of the Highland Avenue water tank.
The news was not all positive, however, as work has been temporarily halted on the East Cold Run Reservoir dam repairs. ODNR requires the department to install an air plug with a pressure gauge in an observation well at the dam to test if there is groundwater pressure prior to permitting Burgess and Niple to move forward with final engineering for the repair. Utilities Superintendent Don Weingart estimated it will take about a month for this required testing to be completed.
The utilities commission will meet next at 3 p.m. June 15.
mahart@mojonews.com