Sec. A, Page 11
The Dublin Citizen
Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013
Council reviewing bids for sewer plant by KIM BENESTANTE Special to the Citizen In its ongoing efforts to meet mandatory state standards, the Dublin City Council at its next meeting in December will review bids from three engineering companies to help the city devise an affordable proposal outlining how to bring the city’s sewer system into compliance, Dublin City Manager Nancy Wooldridge said. Dublin must meet standards established by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to avoid paying a hefty state fine. The selected engineering company—and possibly more than one—also will help the city design a blueprint to present to federal officials requesting a $4-million grant that eventually will be applied to building a new mechanical processing plant once major problems with the sewer system’s existing infrastructure are repaired. A solid compliance plan also will be needed in soliciting a bank loan needed to finance ongoing sewer compliance standards, Wooldridge said. “We’re trying to decide what to do with the engineering until we can talk to three different ones,” she said. “It’s all up in the air as to who comes to the table with the best results for the least amount of money.” The city also has filed an extension request with the TCEQ that essentially asks for more time to fix Dublin’s sewer problems. “We should know shortly” whether the request will be granted, Dublin Public Works Director Cory James said. At issue specifically are four related factors contributing to the current non-compliant status of Dublin’s sewer: ammonia in the sewer’s lagoon complex exceeding maximum stateallowed levels; pH levels also are breaching compliance; a build-up of sludge in the lagoon has occurred over the years, exacerbating those ammonia levels; and problems with inflow and infiltration, or INI, stemming from excess water—like recent rainwater seeping into Dublin’s deteriorating sewer lines—that eventually flows into the lagoon and consequently disrupts ammonia and pH levels as well, James explained. Currently Jacobs Engineering’s Dallas office is helping Dublin with applying for the grant from the United States Department of Agriculture for funds needed to build the mechanical treatment plant; the company’s contract is under review. The city also is reviewing bids from Collier Consulting of Dublin and Jacob & Martin of Abilene that address compliance. Possible solutions include constructing a bio reef for the lagoon that would alleviate ammonia levels and more aeration strategies, James said. The city already is heavily involved with identifying hot spots around town where excessive water accumulations are straining old,sewer-pipeinfrastructure, Wooldridge added. Permits have been attained
to begin aerating, the least expensive and effective method to help discharge water in sensitive areas, she said. One specific example is that a dormant pipeline from the sewer to the airport will be retrofitted and utilized, and surrounding areas aerated to allow for better water drainage, Wooldridge noted. “That’s going to be like a relief valve on a hot water heater,” she said, adding “It’s not a fix, but it’s a good BandAid ... Everything we can think of to keep the lagoon system in compliance is being done.” The TCEQ continues to be actively kept abreast of all effortsthecityisimplementing to bring the sewer system up to code, she noted. “We’re on a fine line with doing the best we can with what we’ve got, and sharing information with residents with what they can do to help us.” The city continues to urge residents to not put grease down sinks as the material eventually will clog pipes and compound the sewer’s sludge problem, Wooldridge said. And any holes discovered on a sewer pipe on a resident’s property should be repaired by a plumber, or fixed according to plumbing code, not via a homemade patch, James said. The problem with holes and their improper repairs is that excess water, especially during rainy seasons, floods into the old, clay tile pipelines that still compose a portion of the city’s sewer infrastructure. The rush of water exacerbates the sediments extracted from those rotted lines, and eventually ends up in the lagoon. The city also is still concentrating on the removal of solids and grit in the sewer’s infrastructure that could wind up in the lagoon, and continues to replace old rotting lines with modern plastic pipes. As previously reported, the Dublin City Council increased water bills by 33 percent this month—a consequence of receiving a 30-percent increase from the Upper Leon River Municipal Water District. “The (extra) three percent added to water bills will be totally spent on replacing clay sewer pipe with PVC pipe,” Wooldridge said; “that’s going to make a major difference in getting the infrastructure solid.” A bank loan also will be needed for the replacement of pipes and keeping the lagooncompliant,Wooldridge said, although the amount is still pending. The city has just paid off a loan, typically a benefit in the bidding process of attaining a new line of credit, and continues to do due diligence ahead of the application process. Ideally, the TCEQ would like to see a state-of-the-art sewer plant in Dublin, Wooldridge said, but the city’s budget doesn’t have the millions of dollars needed to build such a facility. Should Dublin receive the USDA grant to help build that mechanical treatment plant, it will still take two to three
years to complete the grant process, and the money would cover only part of the cost, she explained. Further, the infrastructure must be reliable and compliant before a new plant is warranted, or even usable, she explained. In the meantime, the city will continue to focus on bringing the lagoon into compliance. “The lagoon system can work,” she said. “It has to work; so we’re going to interview with whoever wants to work with us.” Since Wooldridge took over as city manager in July, the city’s efforts to bring Dublin’s sewer system into compliance have included dredging, drying, hauling, aerating; purchasing an additional 2.2 acres for expansion; and forging a long-term, working relationship with the TCEQ.
SORTING OUT THE SEWER- City of Dublin Public Works Director met with several people at the Dublin lagoon-style wastewater treatment plant last week to examine problems and brainstorms solutions as the city struggles with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality violations and limited resources to correct them. Photo by Kim Benestante
The Library Log With Thanksgiving just a week away drop by the Dublin Public Library and take a look at the many magazines available for some updated decorating ideas for the table and home. Also, pick up some new recipes to add zip to the holiday meal or a different take on an old favorite. The library has an entire section devoted to cookbooks and many target the approaching season. Come in browse and through for some fresh ideas. In preparing for Thanksgiving visitors, check out some DVDs for guests who aren’t football fans or maybe are night owls; the library has a very wide selection of children’s DVDs for the little visitors as well. Many classics are on the DVD list: Old Yeller, The Polar Express, Pollyana. Newer “old favs” like Out of Africa, Pearl Harbor, Planet of the Apes, Princess Diaries, My Big Fat Greek Wedding are just a few that might be revisited or were never viewed. The Croods is a 2013 animated film that is new to the library. Duck Dynasty season 3 is newly available. Also, have DVDs to donate? Give the library a call or drop them by. The standard time chases us indoors earlier and the recent cold temps also nudge us to find indoor activities. Let the Dublin Public Library provide materials to pass some of the time. Four new large print books were recently donated as memorials.
Last Week’s Solution
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There is a bountiful supply of large prints available in the stacks; as a “senior” I am finding that I like the bigger font more and more. Also, any seniors who need some help taking a look on the internet, setting up an email account, etc. should come into the library. Remember that the library has a computer equipped with the “Skype” feature for a long distance visit with friends or family members who can’t travel for whatever reason. This is a great way to have some face time with grandchildren. Call 4454141 to inquire about reconnecting with loved ones. Beginning to think about holiday gifts and shopping? Many of us already have more “stuff” than we need. Talk to friends and family; maybe this season a donation to the library in honor of those who usually exchange gifts would be in
By Patty Hirst
order. This is a way to give a gift that would benefit the whole community. While visiting the library last week a new patron was being signed up and as the staff was showing him around and telling him all the things the library had to offer I was reminded just how many different services and many different kinds of material are waiting for patrons to use. It still surprises me when
people ask how much it costs to use the library—IT IS FREE! Getting a library card which is the key to “the kingdom” requires some ID and filling out some paperwork—NO CHARGE! At this season when budgets are already stretched to the limit often get over extended, isn’t it great to know that the Dublin Public Library offers so much help and entertainment simply as a service to the community?
SHERYL BAILEY
Manager
McCOY’S BUILDING SUPPLY CENTERS 3001 N.W. Loop Stephenville, Tx 76401 www.mccoys.com
(254) 968-3184 (800) 968-0397 Fax(254) 968-0478 store8@mccoys.com