July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.

Treatment plan awaits part for repairs (04/20/07)

Portland Board of Works

By By RACHELLE HAUGHN-

Things could get stinky at the city's wastewater treatment plant.

On Thursday, members of the Portland Board of Works approved the purchase of a part for a machine at the plant that helps remove sludge from water. But delivery of the part is expected to take about four weeks.

Bob Brelsford, wastewater plant superintendent, said he is hoping to get the part sooner. Letting the water stay stagnant could cause the sludge to rise to the surface and create a gas buildup, which would produce a foul odor, he said.

The $16,890-part, a worm drive assembly, will be purchased from Eimco Water Technology, Salt Lake City. Brelsford said he has spoken to company officials and he expects to be told on Monday whether or not the part can arrive any sooner.

The part will replace one that broke about a week ago. The assembly is part of a motor that makes a large scraper move in a circle and remove sludge from the bottom of a large tank. This motion causes the sludge to go to the middle of the tank, where it is sucked out. The plant has two such tanks.

Also Thursday, board members voted to hire a local engineer to update plans and do the engineering work for the extension of the city's sewer lines to Portland Municipal Airport.

Gene Amlin submitted a quote of $5,235. The airport is not within the city limits and currently has a septic system to handle waste.

The project, which is expected to take 30 days to complete, must be done by November. The city had to get a permit from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for the sewer line extension. The permit only lasts one year and will expire in November, Brelsford said.

The line needs to be in place for future developments at the airport, said Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland.

Installation of the line is expected to cost about $100,000, Brelsford said. Hosier said he will speak to Jay County Commissioners president Milo Miller Jr. about the possibility of the Jay County Regional Sewer District helping foot part of the bill, since the airport is outside the city limits.[[In-content Ad]]
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