Meta aldermen approve chlorination plans

By Neal A. Johnson
Posted 12/23/20

Meta aldermen are moving forward with a plan to chlorinate the city’s water system following a discussion with Bartlett & West Engineer Gary Davis at the November meeting.

City officials were …

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Meta aldermen approve chlorination plans

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Meta aldermen are moving forward with a plan to chlorinate the city’s water system following a discussion with Bartlett & West Engineer Gary Davis at the November meeting.
City officials were notified in October by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that Meta will have to permanently chlorinate the water system, and checking of levels will be required.
A major concession by DNR was to allow the city to test Monday through Friday and not every single day.
The system approved by aldermen will be provided by Hawkins in Columbia.
The big question was how best to come into compliance with DNR.
“As soon as you chlorinate the tower, DNR is going to want you to start taking samples from that point moving forward,” said Davis.
“How are we supposed to take a sample out of the tower?” Mayor Harold Libbert asked.
“You’ll just have to take it out of the system,” said Davis, adding that as soon as aldermen approve the plan, the clock starts for 30 days, by which time the city must come into compliance. “I think the clock is pretty reasonable.”
“I say let’s just get the permit system hooked up now,” said Alderman Steve Sherrell, and turned that into a motion, which he withdrew pending further discussion.
Alderman Otto Wankum said he wanted to hear the options before any decisions were made.
Alderman Ivie Helton noted the first step was to hand-chlorinate the water tower within 30 days of acceptance of the DNR agreement, followed by within 60 days having a temporary chlorination system in place, and within 90 days, an engineering report, and a permanent system within 180 days.
“We don’t need the full year,” said Davis.
To do this correctly, aldermen broke down the process into steps, the first being to approve the bilateral compliance agreement negotiated with DNR.
Next was to order the test kit, which Davis took care of; however, Libbert said he has already donated a test kit to the city and there is no need to purchase another one.
“Well, do we need a backup?” Wankum asked.
“A tester? No, it will probably last you five, six, or seven years,” LIbbert replied, adding he has only used the kit for the last few weeks though it was purchased in 2012.
Davis noted the kit used by Libbert is older but should function properly. He offered to cancel the order for the new kit, which aldermen are good with, provided the kit Libbert has donated will do the job.
“We can always order one if need be,” said Helton.
Libbert said that in the event of an emergency, the kit used at St. Thomas is identical and can be used at Meta.
Hand-chlorination will be done by McGuire Iron, which has worked on the city’s tower for several years. Testing will be conducted to maintain levels approved by DNR, with additional chlorine added until the automatic system is installed for the 100,000-gallon tower.
LIbbert explained that when the pump comes on, the water is pushed into the tower with very little going into the main system.
There was some question as to how often chlorine would need to be added to the tower until an automatic system is in place, which Davis said is difficult to judge.
“You have to be within a range,” he said, noting the city could aim for the high end and then add more when the minimum range is reached.
Helton suggested having a discussion with McGuire Iron to figure that out but Libbert noted that involving that firm would mean higher costs to maintain chlorine levels until a system is installed.
“You have to get things set up and ready because, in 90 days, you’re going to have to do it anyway,” Libbert said.
“That’s why I made the motion to just get the permanent system in place,” said Sherrell. “We could have it ready in two weeks.”
“I don’t necessarily disagree, but we have to start somewhere,” Helton replied.
An emergency construction permit has been sent to DNR, Davis noted.
To make the process economical, aldermen decided to forego a temporary system and have everything done at once.
Meta’s system will have one pump though there was a question as to whether the city should purchase two pumps, one to serve as a backup so that the city remains in compliance in the event the primary pump fails.
Wankum questioned the need for two pumps, noting that if the one manufactured by LMI tends to fail, the city should purchase the Stenner brand pump, which is a little more costly but not much.
“I guess I’m looking more for quality than convenience,” said Wankum. “I want something that’s going to last.”
“If you ask 10 (water) operators, nine of them are going to say Stenner is the best pump,” said Davis.
“What is the quality of an LMI?” Wankum said.
“I called three operators with LMIs and they all said we could have theirs,” said Davis, adding he could get at least three and maybe four LMI units free of charge if the city so desired.
“They’re saying they’re junk,” Alderman Lawrence Hoffman said.
Libbert noted he has used LMI’s pumps and had no trouble with them.
“Well, I’m going to vote to go with Stenner,” Wankum replied.
Stenner’s pump lists for $975 while LMI’s is $907.
“If I was buying for myself, that’s how I would look at it, what’s the best bang for the buck? For a few dollars more, I’d go with Stenner,” said Wankum.
Libbert said he would prefer the LMI because of his knowledge and experience with the unit.
With the LMI, the pump sits below the water and doesn’t have to work as hard.
Davis recommended the city stay with one brand for both the pump and storage tank.
“If it was me buying it, I wouldn’t go with LMI but it’s not my money,” Davis added.
Hoffman asked if operators recommend two Stenner pumps, to which Davis replied they are not.
Davis said the city will need an injection point and sampling station. LIbbert noted the station will have to be blown out after each use so the city will need a small air-compressor.
There is no price estimate for the overall project as Davis has unknown costs to consider. The plan was to order the supplies, with a total cost quote to be provided on Jan. 1. That gives the city 30 days to hand-chlorinate, and the hope is to have everything else in line well before the 60-day deadline for a temporary system, which in this case, will be the permanent solution.
Aldermen approved the purchase of parts and supplies at approximately $1,600.
Meta is an approved purchaser through the state of Missouri so future chlorine deliveries should not be a problem. However, Treasurer Mary Plassmeyer noted that because of COVID, it has been difficult to interact with state employees.
“We have to go in and set up and find out if it’s delivered or what we’ll have to do,” said Plassmeyer, recommending the first delivery of chlorine be provided by Hawkins.
“I agree,” said. Helton. “That gives us what we need to get started and gives you time to get things set up with the state.”
Aldermen also approved the purchase of two sampling stations, a resolution reflecting the bilateral compliance agreement, and set a meeting for Jan. 6 or 7 at 6:30 p.m. to confirm the final quote with Davis.