By: Donovan W. Mann – donovanm@977the bolt.com
Humboldt, IA – The City of Humboldt is considering an estimated $3.4 million project at the waste water treatment facility.
During the council meeting on May 17 they heard from Assistant Project Managers Jennifer Ruddy from FOX Engineering. She provided details and plans for the necessary updates at the city’s waste water treatment facility.
As previously reported, the city has to make changes to effluent that is permitted to remain in the water after the treatment process. This, along with some other recommended improvements was present to council.
Ruddy presented four “categories” of improvements to the council. This first was the required pieces to get within the new standards set forth by the DNR and legislators. The second was “additional value” items, which is updating exciting systems and equipment that relates to the changes in the first category.
The third group is “end of life” improvements where some additional equipment is beginning to reach an age where it tends to fail or malfunction. The final category was general equipment improvements that don’t need to be done right away.
The recommendation of FOX Engineering is that the city does the first three categories which are estimated to cost $3.4 million. The city already has $1.8 million from FEMA and has begun to build up a reserve in funds for this project. They will submit an application for an Intended Use Plan (IUP) to the clean water State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan Program.
Ruddy says the time line has them finished the final details of the plans by the end of 2021. They plan to put the project out to bid in 2022 and have construction finished in 2023.
The council was presented with a resolution to approve project plans and the submission of this loan application. They approved it unanimously.