Wastewater treatment plant upgrades on agenda

McCOOK, Neb. — Plans for McCook’s sewer plant are among items on the agenda for the McCook City Council meeting Monday night.

Convening at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council chambers, the council will hear a presentation by Miller & Associates on the completed Facility Plan Summary for the Proposed Wastewater Treatment Facility upgrades and consider submitting the completed Facility Plan to USDA-RD for funding consideration.

The current WWTF in McCook is still operating within compliance with its discharge permit, but the age and obsolescence of equipment are creating operational challenges. Furthermore, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy has notified the city that new, stricter limits on ammonia may be included in the next permit renewal. It is anticipated that the WWTF will face additional limitations on the discharge of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in the future, as environmental standards continue to tighten.

The completed facility plan has been prepared to address both the current and future needs of the McCook WWTF. These proposed improvements aim to provide cost-effective, reliable, and operator-friendly treatment for wastewater over the next 20 years. Funding for this project has not yet been secured, and it is recommended that the City submit the Facility Plan to USDA-RD for funding consideration.

In addition to the wastewater treatment facility upgrades, the City Council will also discuss approving contract amendment No. 1 for the McCook Nebraska Swimming Pool. It will move the substantial completion date to July 25, 2024, and the final completion date to Aug. 25, 2024. As discussed in the Nov. 20, 2023 meeting the purpose for the modification is due to supply chain concerns. It has been noted that Carrothers Construction Co. LLC has proven to be extremely efficient and diligent any delay would not be due to lack of effort.

Both the wastewater treatment facility upgrades and the swimming pool are crucial steps toward improving the city’s infrastructure and ensuring the well-being of its residents. Residents and community members are encouraged to attend the meeting to stay informed about the proposed upgrades and offer their input on these initiatives.