PUB adds equipment replacement to wastewater project
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PARKERSBURG -- After the price for repairs to equipment at the wastewater treatment plant came in higher than anticipated, the Parkersburg Utility Board is looking at replacements instead.
The board budgeted $30,000 to fix the two primary clarifiers, which allow solids in wastewater to settle, in the ongoing $3.3 million wastewater treatment plant upgrade. But after a delayed inspection by manufacturer Evoqua Water Technologies, the cost was estimated at $189,094.
During Tuesday's regular PUB meeting, Manager Eric Bennett recommended replacing the units, which would add $478,431 to the project's cost.
"These are 40-year-old units," he said.
The additional money could come from the utility's depreciation fund, into which it's required to place money for equipment replacement each year, Bennett said. He also plans to look at state grant funding to help.
Board member Mike Evans asked what would happen if the clarifiers failed.
"If it fails ... we don't have enough capacity during wet weather," Bennett said.
The board voted 4-0 to approve that approach, pending an inspection by Assistant Manager-Engineer Derrick Fairbanks of the bridge over the clarifiers. If that needs replaced, it would add nearly $200,000 to the price, and the board would have to vote on whether to include it.
The clarifier replacement would be added to the work being done by contractor Triton Construction.
The board was short one member after Bob Wright tendered his resignation. Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce, the board's chairman, said he will work with City Council to appoint a replacement.
The board also voted 4-0 to approve a pay estimate of $195,202.39 to Triton for the wastewater plant project, as well as a corresponding draw of $201,302.39 to cover that and related engineering services. Most of the money comes from a West Virginia Water Development Authority Economic Enhancement Grant.
The board also approved payments and draws for ongoing improvements at the water treatment plant, a more than $19 million project overall.
Among these was $245,649.87 to Stonegate Construction Inc. for the replacement of small-diameter water mains. After PUB officials expressed frustration at previous meetings with pavement and driveway restoration by the contractor, Joyce said the quality has improved.
Pay estimates of $286,858.99 to Tribute Contracting & Consultants for large-diameter water main replacement and $61,278.30 to Orders Construction Inc. for the water treatment plant backwash basin, tank mixer and south reservoir work were also approved, along with a draw from the state loan for the project and local American Rescue Plan Act funds.
The work is on pace to be completed this summer.
A payment of $243,578.84 to Dunlap Construction for the Fort Boreman water and sewer extension was approved 4-0, as well as a draw of money from the Governor's Closing Fund and local ARPA dollars to cover it.
"They've got the sewer line up the hill," Bennett said.