Alto sewer plant problems uncovered
Council takes immediate action during emergency meeting Jan. 17
BY LELAND ACKER

A rake slowly moves through a sludge-filled clarifier at the Alto wastewater treatment plant. Carl Pennington, who has been hired by the city to oversee plant operations until they find a new utilities supervisor, said the plant showed signs of neglect.

New information on the state of the Alto wastewater plant has the city council scrambling to make repairs to the facility before the winter rains cause problems in the city's wastewater system. The information came to light Wednesday evening when Carl Pennington was brought in as a consultant on the city's water system and discovered the problems at the wastewater plant. The council discussed the matter in an emergency meeting Thursday, Jan. 17.

"The whole thing is unacceptable and needs to be repaired immediately if you want me to help operate it for a while," Mr. Pennington said. "Fifty percent of the plant is down. If it rains, it will bust your permit."

Mr. Pennington took the council to the wastewater plant, demonstrating that one of the two clarifiers was not in operation and both had green plants growing in them. He also showed the council that the aerator pipes were not properly working, as several had air leaks which caused a drop in air pressure in the entire aeration system. At the end of two of the aeration pipes, small trees have begun to grow. Other problems included an inoperable rake in one of the clarifiers and sludge buildup in the clarifiers and chlorine tank.

An air leak in an m aerator pipe spews water behind a tree that has grown into the aeration tank at the Alto wastewater treatment plant.

"Has this been overlooked by the utilities supervisor?" Councilman Monty Collins asked.

"You can't do (the repairs) without the supervision of a licensed operator," said Brandon Tyer, employee in the utilities department. "We've had no leadership on that part."

At the plant, Mr. Tyer explained that former Utilities Supervisor Charlie Luse had not allowed utilities personnel to perform maintenance at the plant. He said certain things had to be supervised by a licensed operator.

"None of it has been done," Mr. Tyer said. "We have diffusers that need to be taken care of before the next sewer audit."

Carl Pennington discusses l the repairs needed to the wastewater treatment plant with (from left) utilities employee Brandon Tyer, Councilman Monty Collins and Mayor Pro Tem Annie Walker.

Mayor Pro Tem Annie Walker said Mr. Tyer and Mr. Pennington discovered the issues at the plant Wednesday and immediately notified her. She then called the emergency meeting Thursday morning.

Mr. Pennington told the council that most of the repairs could be made by a three to four person crew within two to three days. The council voted to follow his recommendations and hire temporary workers and contractors to carry out the repairs. Councilmembers Robert Pearman, Kenneth Brethouwer, Earl Clark and Mr. Collins were present, as was Mayor Pro Tem Annie Walker. Mr. Pennington, Mr. Tyer and former mayor Carey Palmer were present.