In October, the Brooksville City Council voted to approve an emergency resolution to allow the City Manager and Mayor to authorize and expedite funding of repairs to the city’s water and sewer infrastructure. The measure expedites funding up to $500,000, allowing the Department of Public Works (DPW) to bypass the usual procurement process. The funds will come from the Enterprise Reserve Fund, which contained $8,000,000 at the time of the resolution.
Public Works Director Paul Booth reported that his department has been able to purchase filters and replacement assemblies necessary to treat reclaimed water. To date, the department has spent $134,835.94. Going forward, the Department of Public Works (DPW) will budget to replace 20% of the parts yearly, to lessen the financial impact on the city.
The 50 Lift Station, which has had problems due to rusting of suction tubes, will also be addressed. The process to remedy the situation and place air release devices is expected to cost approximately $54,500 and begin December 2, 2022.
During the last week of December, the department will consider installing a centrifugal press, which presses water from sludge material, turning it into a dry product they can dispose of in landfills rather than requiring tanker trucks to haul it away. Booth reports that this disposal method comes with a lower price tag. The department is also looking at other avenues to determine which will produce the best outcome.
With other repair and maintenance projects still in the bid phase, Booth reports, “We are on the cusp of having the plant back operating the way it should be and continuing to move forward with making those improvements so we won’t have problems in the future.”
