Wednesday, August 22nd, 2007
Wastewater plant plans to be submitted
New facility could cost the city almost $13 million
By Janie Southard
ST. MARYS - The city's water and wastewater committee continue to get their ducks in a row in preparation for construction of the new $12.9 million wastewater treatment plant.
Plans soon will be submitted for state approval of structural, electrical and plumbing for new and renovated buildings.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is requiring the city to complete a preliminary jurisdictional wastewater delineation study of the St. Marys River in the area that will be disturbed by construction.
Price tag on the delineation study will be around $4,000, according to Dave Sprague, superintendent of the city's water and sewer department.
Sprague told water/wastewater committee members this week his department is reviewing with the Ohio EPA the necessary steps remaining to close on the loan from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF).
Following the meeting, he said the amount of the loan depends on the final construction bids. The present estimate is $12.971 million and he expects bids to come in close to that number.
The understanding is that the WPCLF will loan 100 percent of the final bid amount.
"I think we'll meet the Dec. 13 deadline, which means we should get the money this year. But if we run over, the loan will still be available for us next year," Sprague told committee members Dennis Vossler, Ron Ginter and Mike Bernard.
At the water plant, community demand has decreased with the arrival of much-needed rain.
"We've had no trouble meeting the demand, just some minimal overtime hours," he said.
The community swimming pool has had excellent attendance this season and will close for the year on Sept. 4. The city will begin preparing the pool for winter.
Sprague said next season's preparation will be more time consuming as the floors in both pools need painted. He estimates the cost for the special paint at about $10,000.
"It needs done every four to five years. We're in our fifth season ... I think the painting will take about 10 days," Sprague said.
