Parkersburg Utility Board Manager Eric Bennett speaks during Tuesday’s board meeting at the PUB offices. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
PARKERSBURG — A damaged stair screen at the wastewater treatment plant can be repaired for less than $25,000, Parkersburg Utility Board Manager Eric Bennett said Tuesday, after initial estimates placed the price at six figures.
The mechanism, which lifts rags and other debris from the channels where water enters the plant, was damaged in February, apparently by a brick that had fallen from a manhole. It was initially thought that replacement parts would cost $112,000, while a new system was priced at $113,000.
But the cost was reduced significantly by the decision to replace fewer parts.
“At this point, we’re pretty confident we can repair it for $22,000, roughly,” Bennett said.
Because the cost is less than $25,000, no action by the board was required.
It will still take a while to get the parts, which are manufactured in Germany. Bennett estimated 24 to 30 weeks.
The plant’s second stair screen failed on Feb. 18, but the utility was able to use in-stock replacement parts to repair it.
“The north screen is working fine,” Bennett said.
When both were down, staff members were manually cleaning bar screens in the channels.
The board voted 5-0 to approve a pair of change orders on the boiler and air compressor replacement project at the water treatment plant, both involving additional programming for the devices.
Bennett asked board members their preference on him approving change orders for the $19 million water system improvement project expected to get underway by the end of May or early June. For previous large-scale projects, the board approved Bennett authorizing change orders of $50,000 or less.
Ultimately, any change order would still come before the board for final approval, but allowing the manager to OK them initially would keep the project moving, Bennett said.
“I don’t have a problem with it,” board member Paul Hoblitzell said. “I have a potential problem with how we might quickly approve (changes that cost) more.”
Bennett said he could get tentative approval from board members or call a special meeting if a situation arose where waiting for a regular meeting could cause significant issues. He told board members he would draft a resolution on what level of change orders he could approve for a future meeting.
Today's breaking news and more in your inbox
VIENNA — A local restaurant is one of three ordered to pay a combined $1.45 million in back wages and damages to ...
PARKERSBURG — After receiving more than 40 applications, a search committee has narrowed down to three the list ...
Today's breaking news and more in your inbox
Copyright © News and Sentinel | https://www.newsandsentinel.com | 519 Juliana St., Parkersburg, WV 26101 | 304-485-1891 | Ogden Newspapers | The Nutting Company