Title
Options for the White Rock Wastewater Treatment Plant
Recommended Action
None
Staff Recommendation
See Body.
Body
The White Rock Wastewater Treatment Plant was constructed in the mid 1960’s. The treatment process consists of an entrance works, two primary clarifiers, two trickling filters, two secondary clarifiers and a chlorine contact basin. Design flow of the treatment plant is 0.8 million gallons per day (MGD). In recent years peak flows received by the plant are less than 0.5 MGD, well below the plant design capacity. The plant has now been in operation over 50 years.
The plant was first scheduled for replacement beginning in fiscal year 2010 as follows.
· FY2010 White Rock Entrance Works Design
· FY2011 White Rock Entrance Works Construction
· FY2012 Facilities Plan for White Rock Treatment Plant
· FY2013 White Rock Treatment Plant Renovation Design
· FY2014 White Rock Treatment Plant Renovation
In 2008, the plant construction was deferred for 10 years after consideration of the financial reality of operating the sewer collection and treatment facilities, paying the debt incurred with the construction of the new Los Alamos Treatment Plant and avoiding increasing sewer rates.
In 2009, the DPU hired a consultant to prepare a condition/risk assessment which included a 10-year life extension plan that would keep the plant operational and meet the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit through 2019. The following life extension projects were completed to keep the plant operational until 2019 when the new plant would come online.
· 2010 - Purchased septic Hauler for $126,000 and hauled sludge to LAWWTP/Pojoaque Septic Facility. Abandoned existing digesters, boiler and associated pumps (2009 cost $805,000 to return to reliable operation).
· 2011 - Replaced one trickling filter center column and distribution arms for $172,000.
· 2012 - New fine screen for $100,000.
· 2014 - Replace chlorination equipment and meterin...
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