Oakland Wastewater Plant Sludge Removal
Recently, we discovered that our Wastewater System lagoons had accumulated a considerable amount of sludge. Last fall, when some of the effluent levels deteriorated, it was determined that lagoon #4 should be drained so that the aeration system could be upgraded. When the lagoon was drained, an unexpected amount of sludge covered the bottom of the lagoon. It was determined that this sludge was probably also contributing to the poor effluent levels. Thus, some of the sludge was removed, but when adverse weather prohibited further removal, the lagoon was filled with the understanding that the remainder should be removed at some point in the future during better weather. Upon further checking, it has been determined that the other lagoons also contain sludge which should be removed.
The lagoons have been in operation for over 20 years now, and we are concerned that the sludge is affecting the wastewater treatment operations. We already spent over $100,000 for the partial removal of sludge in Lagoon #4, in addition to the cost of upgrading the aeration system and we do not have adequate funds budgeted to remove the remainder of the sludge. The alternative to removing the sludge is leaving it in the lagoons. This not only affects the retention time for wastewater coming into the lagoons, but also affects the ability of the “lagoon farm” system to work properly and provide the effluent numbers necessary for acceptable discharge limits. Removing the sludge is the best alternative to resolving the problem, simply because the sludge is not going to go away on its own.
We have obtained a sludge removal permit and hopefully we can successfully remove most or all of the remaining sludge under the existing permit and allow normal and successful wastewater treatment operations for many more years to come without having to deal with sludge removal. If we allow the sludge to continue to exist and increase in volume, we will undoubtedly see a continued deterioration in our effluent values and will not be able to meet our discharge parameters. Although this project does not actually reuse or recycle in the normal sense of recycling, it does qualify in the sense that it is saving landfill space. We tried to get permission from MDE to land apply the sludge, but MDE would not grant us that ability. Thus, as we just did in the partial sludge removal process completed, we will press the sludge and de-water it thus eliminating thousands of gallons of water from the sludge, reducing the landfill cost, and increasing landfill life. We have submitted a funding application to MDE for $200,000 for removal of sludge.
Oakland Water System Meter Replacement/Generator Project
Over the past couple of years, the Town of Oakland has met with various companies regarding the idea of upgrading the water system’s existing utility meters with the new touch read or hand held type meter reading devices. Even though it is very clear that this would be a huge benefit for Oakland’s system in accounting for water loss and thus increasing revenues, in quickly detecting leaks for users of the system, and in man hours with regard to meter reading, it is an expensive endeavor for a small town.
The Town has met with an energy reduction consultant and has identified that replacement of the existing and aging water meters as a key item to be examined. The proposed new system will allow us to detect water leaks much more quickly, thus saving treated water loss. The consultant will be performing an Energy Audit on our facilities and system beginning next month. We are excited to find out how much energy, water and money we will be able to save. During the winter months, it is often virtually impossible to actually read the water meters because of the excess amounts of snow covering the ground/meters.
In addition, because of the severe weather conditions in our area, we have on-going problems with power outages and at the present time, we have no auxiliary power backup. In order to ensure that we can provide uninterrupted water service to Oakland’s customers, we need to obtain a generator capable of running one of the water plants. For several years now, Oakland has felt a serious need to have this security for operating the system. We have submitted a funding application to MDE for $300,000 for this project. Oakland Water Storage Tank Feasibility Study and Design Project
The Town anticipates that an additional water storage tank, strategically placed will provide the adequate assurance necessary for Oakland’s water customers. Because of the mountainous terrain, an additional tank would provide the necessary balance or equalization of pressures to safely supply the entire water system with adequate pressure. Oakland has talked about this for a several years now, and desires to pursue this before a crisis situation occurs.
The Town proposes to have a feasibility study completed to determine if and where a new storage tank should be located in order to adequately provide sufficient water to all locations such as the new Federally Qualified Health Facility, and Garrett County Memorial Hospital which has recently completed expansion and additional buildings with new water service/pressure demands. Oakland had become dependent upon 2 water storage tanks since the 1930’s, and when we replaced these two deteriorated and severely aged tanks a couple of years ago, sufficient funding was not available to replace both tanks, and so only one was constructed.
We have submitted a funding application to MDE for $100,000 for the study and design for a new water storage tank. Oakland Public Parking Garage
Parking Problems?
The downtown Oakland area is experiencing what some would call a “good” problem in that there are times, especially in the summer months, when it is difficult, if not impossible, to find a place to park your vehicle.
We are in the very beginning stages of investigating possible locations and looking at other towns and cities that have parking garages so that we might have some idea of the cost of constructing and maintaining these types of facilities, as well as some of the positive and negative aspects to operating a parking garage.
This is a project that may begin to take shape this summer and will probably be on the table for next year. |
The Town of Oakland has experienced problems in the past with being able to supply adequate water pressure to the outlying areas which typically are at a higher elevation. Several customers in Oakland lack sufficient pressure for normal residential usage. In addition some larger businesses which are major water users lack sufficient pressure for normal operations and fire flow pressures.
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