Wastewater contract may end stink
By Lynn Zerschling, Journal staff writer | Posted: Tuesday, October 14, 2003
No more bad smells wafting from Sioux City's wastewater treatment plant.
That was one of the pledges made by a citizens' committee Monday night who told the City Council that entering into a contract with a new plant operator would get rid of the odor, as well as shield the plant from public view in south Morningside.
"Ideally we won't smell it or see it," Councilwoman Karen Forneris said.
Councilman Dave Ferris said that despite all the complexities in upgrading that plant and the cost involved, what the public mostly complains about is the smell.
"Odor is a huge concern," acknowledged Skip Perley, president and chief executive officer of TEC-Corp, the parent company for Thompson Electric. "The RFP (request for proposals) specified that there would be no odor that escapes that fence. ...That would mean a person walking by the plant won't smell it."
Perley chaired the 14-member committee comprising area community leaders, engineers and representatives of the big industrial users of the plant. The panel helped city staff review the proposals from three companies wanting to operate the plant for the next 20 years.
Based on that group's recommendation, the council unanimously authorized city staff and the committee to begin negotiating a contract with American Water Services Inc., to operate and maintain the wastewater treatment plant.
"In the end, we felt American Water had more strengths," Perley said, than the current contractor, US Filter. "Their progressive philosophy and willingness to work with the city were big factors. And, they had the lowest proposal. They have committed to this verbally, We still have some concerns, which we will address in the negotiation stage."
The aging treatment plant, which is in violation of some environmental regulations, is in need of major reconstruction, with an estimated cost of more than $25 million. The regional facility serves not only Sioux City, but also Sergeant Bluff, South Sioux City, North Sioux City and Sergeant Bluff.
Walter Lynch, American Water Services president, said he traveled to Sioux City from the company's corporate headquarters in Marlton, N.J., to assure the council of his company's strong commitment to running the plant efficiently.
"I can't tell you how excited we are to be selected by this committee," Lynch said. "We want to be a partner in this community. We will sponsor different events in the community. We want to treat our employees right. We have been in business a long time."
Councilman Tony Drake told Lynch, "We will hold your feet to the fire that you will do everything you say you are going to do."
Lynch replied, "We would expect no less."
American Water provides or operates water and wastewater treatment plants across North America for municipal, industrial and military clients. American Water owns Iowa American Co., which operates the Davenport treatment plant.
In an interview, Lynch said, "We saw this as a long-term opportunity for our company and to share our expertise. We hope to start negotiations right away and that it won't take as long as four months."
Paul Nolan, the city's environmental services director, and representatives of the city's consultants, ARI/Olsson Associates, also recommended the council begin negotiations with American Water.
Perley stressed that while Nolan and city staff said the council only wanted to find a contractor to operate the plant, the committee wanted to investigate what it would cost to have the city run it. The figures showed that it would be more expensive for the city to do it and result in higher industrial rates.
"Collectively, we feel we spent a thousand hours on this proposal," Perley stated. "This was a massive project."
Drake, who along with Forneris served as the council's representatives on the committee, said, "We don't have this expertise ourselves, which is why I'm thrilled to death you came together and made this happen. This is a shining example of what we can do in the future with public-private partnerships."
Committee member Bill Feiges, president of Cloverleaf Cold Storage, outlined some of the technical changes that will take place at the wastewater treatment plant. For instance, the lagoons will be eliminated and the plant will go from a two-stage treatment process to a three-stage process.
Nolan said American Water's proposal calls for $21 million worth of improvements, which is less than the estimated $25 to $25 million the city had anticipated. About $2 million worth of landscaping will be done around the plant, at 3100 S. Lewis Blvd.
US Filter has had the contract to operate the plant since 1995. The committee also reviewed a proposal from a third company, but concluded that company's proposal did not fit the RFP.
Councilman Marty Dougherty wanted to know now long the upgrades would last.
Perley answered, "At the end of 20 years, it should still be a good plant."
City Manager Paul Eckert noted than during last May's lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., the Siouxland delegation talked to the area's Congressional delegation about obtaining $2.25 million in federal funds to help rehabilitate the plant. Additional federal dollars also are being sought.
Two residents of Sergeant Bluff complained about the way sludge was applied to farmland across the street from their homes, complaining of smell and other health related issues. Eckert said those issues will be addressed with US Filter, who has contacts with haulers.
Lynn Zerschling may be reached at (712) 293-4202 or at lynnzerschling@siouxcityjournal.com
That was one of the pledges made by a citizens' committee Monday night who told the City Council that entering into a contract with a new plant operator would get rid of the odor, as well as shield the plant from public view in south Morningside.
"Ideally we won't smell it or see it," Councilwoman Karen Forneris said.
Councilman Dave Ferris said that despite all the complexities in upgrading that plant and the cost involved, what the public mostly complains about is the smell.
"Odor is a huge concern," acknowledged Skip Perley, president and chief executive officer of TEC-Corp, the parent company for Thompson Electric. "The RFP (request for proposals) specified that there would be no odor that escapes that fence. ...That would mean a person walking by the plant won't smell it."
Perley chaired the 14-member committee comprising area community leaders, engineers and representatives of the big industrial users of the plant. The panel helped city staff review the proposals from three companies wanting to operate the plant for the next 20 years.
Based on that group's recommendation, the council unanimously authorized city staff and the committee to begin negotiating a contract with American Water Services Inc., to operate and maintain the wastewater treatment plant.
"In the end, we felt American Water had more strengths," Perley said, than the current contractor, US Filter. "Their progressive philosophy and willingness to work with the city were big factors. And, they had the lowest proposal. They have committed to this verbally, We still have some concerns, which we will address in the negotiation stage."
The aging treatment plant, which is in violation of some environmental regulations, is in need of major reconstruction, with an estimated cost of more than $25 million. The regional facility serves not only Sioux City, but also Sergeant Bluff, South Sioux City, North Sioux City and Sergeant Bluff.
Walter Lynch, American Water Services president, said he traveled to Sioux City from the company's corporate headquarters in Marlton, N.J., to assure the council of his company's strong commitment to running the plant efficiently.
"I can't tell you how excited we are to be selected by this committee," Lynch said. "We want to be a partner in this community. We will sponsor different events in the community. We want to treat our employees right. We have been in business a long time."
Councilman Tony Drake told Lynch, "We will hold your feet to the fire that you will do everything you say you are going to do."
Lynch replied, "We would expect no less."
American Water provides or operates water and wastewater treatment plants across North America for municipal, industrial and military clients. American Water owns Iowa American Co., which operates the Davenport treatment plant.
In an interview, Lynch said, "We saw this as a long-term opportunity for our company and to share our expertise. We hope to start negotiations right away and that it won't take as long as four months."
Paul Nolan, the city's environmental services director, and representatives of the city's consultants, ARI/Olsson Associates, also recommended the council begin negotiations with American Water.
Perley stressed that while Nolan and city staff said the council only wanted to find a contractor to operate the plant, the committee wanted to investigate what it would cost to have the city run it. The figures showed that it would be more expensive for the city to do it and result in higher industrial rates.
"Collectively, we feel we spent a thousand hours on this proposal," Perley stated. "This was a massive project."
Drake, who along with Forneris served as the council's representatives on the committee, said, "We don't have this expertise ourselves, which is why I'm thrilled to death you came together and made this happen. This is a shining example of what we can do in the future with public-private partnerships."
Committee member Bill Feiges, president of Cloverleaf Cold Storage, outlined some of the technical changes that will take place at the wastewater treatment plant. For instance, the lagoons will be eliminated and the plant will go from a two-stage treatment process to a three-stage process.
Nolan said American Water's proposal calls for $21 million worth of improvements, which is less than the estimated $25 to $25 million the city had anticipated. About $2 million worth of landscaping will be done around the plant, at 3100 S. Lewis Blvd.
US Filter has had the contract to operate the plant since 1995. The committee also reviewed a proposal from a third company, but concluded that company's proposal did not fit the RFP.
Councilman Marty Dougherty wanted to know now long the upgrades would last.
Perley answered, "At the end of 20 years, it should still be a good plant."
City Manager Paul Eckert noted than during last May's lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., the Siouxland delegation talked to the area's Congressional delegation about obtaining $2.25 million in federal funds to help rehabilitate the plant. Additional federal dollars also are being sought.
Two residents of Sergeant Bluff complained about the way sludge was applied to farmland across the street from their homes, complaining of smell and other health related issues. Eckert said those issues will be addressed with US Filter, who has contacts with haulers.
Lynn Zerschling may be reached at (712) 293-4202 or at lynnzerschling@siouxcityjournal.com
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