By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Dowagiac City Council Monday evening awarded a $154,245 contract to US Filter of Ames, Iowa, for an upgrade and maintenance project at the wastewater treatment plant.
This is another incremental improvement proposed for the plant to improve its safety, capacity and efficiency, according to City Manager William H. Nelson Jr.
The city reviewed the filter system and accepted proposals on everything from a complete overhaul to a maintenance approach.
Prices ranged from the low bid from three proposals, $154,245, to a high of $611,800 from a Michigan bidder for a completely new system.
Nelson recommended the less costly maintenance option, enabling the city to get back to the original design capacity of 2.5 million gallons a day (MGD) average flow and 4 MGD peak flow.
Flows do not approach those limits currently, Nelson said.
This project involves replacement of the filter media, inspection of underdrains and installation of new air wash piping, which has not been done since the filter building was constructed in the 1970s.
Work will begin in October for completion by April 2006.
Use of filters is necessary during the peak summer flow season.
US Filter is the company that installed the original system.
The manufacturer recommends such an installation every 10 to 15 years to maintain maximum filter capacity.
The project will be financed from the sewer fund.