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| Lowville Village Trustees Approve GYMO Architects to Study Water Filtration Upgrade Alternatives 08/17/17 06:00am By: Nick Altmire (nick@linkinglewiscounty.com) |
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Wednesday evening, with the Village's water filtration capabilities one of the points of discussion. Board members received a pair of proposals from their architecture firm, GYMO Architecture, Engineering & Land Surveying PC, regarding adding on to the water plant to be able to effectively treat up to 1.5 million gallons of water per 24-hour period. The first proposal, requested by the Village Municipal Board, indicated it would cost around $4 million to install two additional slow sand filtration beds to the four currently in use, increasing the filtration capacity by 50%. This would also involve adding on an access shelter, as well as an additional clear well- where the filtered water sits for a 4-hour contact time for treatment before entering the system. A second proposal from GYMO was described as a short-term study, where the firm would evaluate the different alternatives available for adding on to the system. Representatives from the firm said the study would look into three potential filtration systems, including the current slow sand system in addition to a microfiltration system and a rapid sand (gravity) system. The cost of the study would be $12,500 with representatives telling board members it would take three to four weeks to complete. After hearing both proposals, Department of Public Works Superintendent Thomas Compo recommended the board consider both options. "That's $4 million in a short period of time, and $4 million is a huge sum of money," Mr. Compo said. "We should look at other alternatives that may be just as good but may be less expensive to build. What we're trying to do is not jump into this thing running, we need to make sure we do the right thing," he continued. "I agree," Mayor Donna Smith said. "I would like to look into all three systems for a comparison of what can be filtered and how quickly. Our plant was built to be added on to very easily, but at the same time that doesn't mean we can't add something different to the plant that may be less expensive and more efficient." GYMO representatives told board members they could have the study completed to present at the next meeting of the Municipal Board, to be held on September 12 at 6 PM. Board members unanimously approved moving forward with the study, and agreed to hold a joint meeting with the Municipal Board on September 12, with the possibility of making a decision to move forward with one of the options at that time. According to GYMO representatives, adding the two additional slow sand beds would likely be the quickest solution to implement, with a possible six month time table. Choosing one of the alternative methods would likely not see construction completed until next summer, the representatives said. Kraft Heinz, the largest user of the village water system, is expected to have a polished water system in place by the end of September. That could allow their facility to recycle up to 150,000 gallons of water per day, potentially alleviating some of the current demand on the system. A number of factors led the Village to issue a voluntary conserve water order at the end of July, which became a mandatory conserve order on August 8th. The mandatory order allows for the Village to issue citations to those found to be in violation of the water conservation order. Officials said that there have not been any citations issued at this point. During a public comment period, when asked what penalty a citation would carry, Mr. Compo read a section of the municipal code stating penalties for violations could include a fine up to $250 and/or 15 days in jail. |