Polson closer to design phase of wastewater plant

By TRIP BURNS

Lake County Leader

The city of Polson is ready to procure equipment and begin the design phase of a new wastewater treatment facility. 

City Manager Mark Shrives said as Polson has grown, so has the need for Polson to have cleaner water. “We’ve seen some capacity issues,” Shrives said. Population growth, Polson’s classification as a recreational area and storms all contributed to the need for a new way to manage wastewater and release it into the Flathead river – clean enough for humans and animals to consume. “We’re at the point where the lagoons can’t do that anymore,” Shrives said. Wastewater is currently collected in a lagoon system just south of town on Kerr Dam Road. Due to Polson’s growth, the lagoon system is no longer feasible for treating wastewater. 

Once Shrives and the public works department decide which equipment the city will use for the plant, then the city engineer will begin designing the plant. They do not have definite plans for design until they select the equipment. 

As far as scheduling on design and construction, Shrives said they are a little behind. Due to unforeseen changes in regulations by the EPA, which became less strict, the city had to change its plans as well as the actual type of mechanical plant, he said.

“The first selection we made was a different mechanical plant. We were getting ready to go forward, and then some regulations changed, so we were able to step it down a notch, which saved $4 million,” Shrives said.

Along with saving the city and taxpayers money, Shrives said there has been a concerted effort to apply for grants. They’ve been awarded a Treasure State Grant of $650,000. He said Polson was ranked second out of 50 proposed grants. Winning grants will help offset rate increases on Polson’s residents.

Polson’s wastewater is treated in four lagoons, which collect the water, cleanse and disinfect it, and move it through the cells, before it is discharged into the river. New EPA regulations dictated Polson’s need for cleaner water, Shrives said. “We can get better disinfection with the new mechanical plant,” he said.

Beginning in two weeks, Shrives said the city would begin the process of procuring the new equipment for the sequence batch reactor plant. A sequence batch reactor plant will operate in one location. The raw waste will collect in one tank, and over time, become disinfected. The current lagoon system lets the sludge percolate and move through four cells.

Shrives said the city will put out an advertisement for a request of proposals for the different types of equipment for the new wastewater plant. 

Once the city has a good idea of who can produce what the plant needs, Shrives said his team would conduct interviews and determine the best price. “It’s not always driven by the lowest bidder,” Shrives said. The city needs to examine warranties, analyze past performance, and thoroughly research the manufacturers the city will be using for the plant.

Construction on the plant is expected to begin next summer.