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Jasper’s sewage treatment plant is full to burst and in desperate need of repairs.
Operators at the plant started a $150,000 repair project and found majorly corroded parts that could cause a central structure to collapse.
These parts were not possible to inspect before fibreglass covers were removed by a crane.
And the replacement cost is another $350,000.
Paul Nicholls, chief operator of treatment plant, said: “The main support structure, everything inside hangs off a central pipe.
“It is an awful lot of money but basically rebuilding the clarifier to what it was originally.”
The sewage plant has three stages of treatment: primary treatment in the primary clarifier, secondary treatment and disinfection.
In the primary clarifier, severe rust and corrosion was found on the drive cage, centre pier and scum trough, caused by the highly corrosive atmosphere.
And in its current state, the primary clarifier is not operable, causing the secondary treatment process to be severely overloaded.
Nicholls said: “There is one primary clarifier and two treatment modules which are now at maximum capacity.
“Going forward in future years we will have to look at expanding the treatment plant.
“We are at the edge of what the whole system is designed to handle.”
Nicholls said the workers also found “very rotten” concrete that will need to be replaced.
“It is not a requirement this time but something to consider when looking at full life expectancy,” he said.
After Nicholls presented his request to the municipal council, Councillor Rico Damota questioned if these repairs would just be a “Band-Aid” until the plant inevitably has to expand.
But Nicholls said this would still be used in an upgraded facility.
“We are rebuilding to standard, just not increasing capacity,” Nicholls said.
“That would be another clarifier.”
The Waste Water Treatment Plant and the muni’s administration department are working out final numbers and sources of funding, and the matter will be discussed again at the council’s next regular meeting on Tuesday.
Council agreed this week to spend $80,000 on an independent review of the treatment plant.
In preparation for the full contract renewal in 2022, the review will look at the contract, plant operations, maintenance, regulatory compliance and recommendations for a future contract structure that would be open for bids when the existing contract expires.
Councillor Paul Butler said: “I think the operation of the plant is one of the most critical pieces of infrastructure we own.
“We need assurances that we are operating in the most efficient and best way possible.
“From time to time we have outside agencies one in and look at what we are doing, like our finances, it is only prudent.”
