Council was informed recently that the municipality’s wastewater lagoon system was last updated almost 40 years ago, and that the air blower compressors were no longer supported by the industry and that maintenance parts of the units are non-existent.
Jim Hall, operations manager, said four companies were requested to bid on the project, which according to background information in council’s agenda will involve installing a septage intake station — along with necessary buildings, piping assemblies and ground work — to properly receive outside sewage.
“Two of the four did that,” said Hall.
The town’s engineering firm, CIMA+, recommended awarding the tender to CDM Mechanical, that had a bid of a bit more than $1 million, he added.
“The company CDM is very experienced in our size of municipality,” said Hall.
“They know the costs; they know where to find savings in the field.”
Coun. Todd Dalke’s motion to award the tender for the sewage lagoon’s critical infrastructure upgrade to CDM in the amount of about $1.05 million carried unanimously. Coun. Cheri Funke’s followup motion to budget for additional project costs in the amount of $190,000 from the Utilities Life Cycling restricted surplus account also carried unopposed.
According to the background information outlined in the agenda, the project is a precursor to the future lagoon wastewater upgrades required by Alberta Environment and Parks as well as Environment Canada, and its completion will reduce the future tasks associated with regulatory aspects.
