Wastewater treatment facility project on schedule, budget

The expansion of Brainerd Public Utilities' wastewater treatment facility continues on schedule to be completed by July of 2011.

Tom Phelps, utilities superintendent, Tuesday morning told the Brainerd Public Utilities Commission that 85-90 percent of the concrete work was completed on the $35 million project with sequencing batch reactor tanks and two digesters - the equipment that breaks down waste - and a sludge tank nearly completed.

Along with being on schedule, the project, a third of which is being paid for by Baxter in return for a third of the capacity, also is on budget, Phelps said.

"Everything is moving smoothly, with no problems and no concerns," Phelps told the commission. "Everything is moving along excellent."

The wastewater facility expansion will offer Brainerd and Baxter an increase in wastewater capacity from 3.6 million gallons per day to 6 million gallons per day. The plant could be expanded to handle 7.2 million gallons per day if needed.

The expansion and upgrade is needed for three reasons. The current facility was designed with a 20-year life span but is currently in its 28th year of operation; new technology is needed to better treat wastewater being discharged into the Mississippi River; and both Brainerd and Baxter, which contracts with Brainerd for wastewater services and will pay for a third of the expansion costs, want more capacity for growth.

In other action, the commission:

Received a 10-month financial update from commission secretary Todd Wicklund for electric, water and wastewater departments. Wicklund said while revenues and income are down from years past, funds are near where they were budgeted.

Approved increasing its contribution to the city from about $38,800 to $116,500 in 2010.

Adjourned to 9 a.m. on Dec. 15 for a budget meeting.

Was informed by Wicklund that $705,000 in sales tax had been received so far in 2009 for a better-than-expected average of $70,000 a month. The sales tax collected will go toward paying for the wastewater treatment facility expansion.

MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.