At the February 4 meeting, the Fountain council received an update from contracted water treatment plant consultant Rick Whitney. Whitney and City Public Works Director John Hanson are methodically going through the plant to make sure it’s fully functional, maintained, and that it continues compliance.
In January, there were additional items discovered needing immediate repair. Whitney estimates the cost to be about $1,500 in addition to the monthly contract price. Several of these are either pushing the plant towards additional future issues or major safety issues for staff working at the plant or well house.
Whitney indicated the shaft on the mixer for the system’s anoxic zone and found it was bent. While the blades are good, the shaft and the bearings will need replacing at a cost of just over $480. The louvers on the north wall of the plant were also checked. One set won’t close fully. Without them, cold air can leak in potentially freezing parts of the plant. After looking into the box housing the motor which closes the louvers, Whitney found it rusted and beat up. To replace the box is just over $600.
One item put on the task item schedule was review of sensors in the gas meter. There are two bad sensors – one for oxygen and one measuring explosive gas. Whitney stated they are impossible to calibrate. The plant is set up so it has exterior alarm lights and if gas levels or low oxygen occurs, strobes are set off. Whitey added that it appears this part of system has been offline for a long time. Each sensor cost is $232.
“The biggest thing is protecting your guys that are going in and out of that plant all the time,” stressed Whitney. “You can either buy a meter they wear on their pockets and they wear it every time they go in or you can put that system back the way it was designed.”
The last purchase item will be a section of pipe steel to replace areas on a pump in the aeration basin. Other issues being include finish welding in the basin and touch up painting on the diffuser piping. It’s been difficult to get paint to stick to the brass and zinc fittings due to coatings. An etching primer will be purchased for these areas.
When asked about why certain materials are used, Whitney indicated he’s careful not to make certain changes on things not already approved for the plant. If not, it could trigger the need to notify the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency first, which can take up to a year or more for approvals.
“It’s got to be fixed, plain and simple. It’s got to be fixed,” said Mayor Ron Reisner. The council approved the work unanimously.
Hanson also made the council aware of an immediate need for a new chlorine gas meter at the well house. The current meter is out of date and parts are no longer made for it. Hanson estimates it’s been out of service for a week. In the meantime, he’s been throwing on the fan, opening the door, and waiting before entering the area.
“What happens, with it not working, if there is a leak and you’re in there?” asked City Clerk Mary Tjepkes.
“They could die,” stated Councilor Cory Spratte.
Hanson gathered price quotes from several places, but is leaning towards purchasing through Hawkins. Whitney noted this company will provide replacement parts to those they’ve sold which break or will come out and repair what they’ve sold.
“A dire piece of equipment for that well house and for the safety of our guys,” replied Tjekpes.
The council also unanimously approved a resolution for the 2025 Fillmore County Hazardous Mitigation Plan. There was no discussion on this item, which has been approved by nearly every other municipality within the county.
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