Updates planned for Fulton wastewater station

The Route O Lift Station helps propel much of Fulton's wastewater toward the city's wastewater treatment plant. Beginning soon, the lift station will undergo a $400,000 renovation project.
The Route O Lift Station helps propel much of Fulton's wastewater toward the city's wastewater treatment plant. Beginning soon, the lift station will undergo a $400,000 renovation project.

A key component of Fulton's wastewater treatment system will soon be under renovation.

During the July 10 Fulton City Council meeting, the council authorized Mayor Lowe Cannell to sign a contract with Vandevanter Engineering for improvements to the Route O Lift Station.

"You know it's a pretty important lift station for Fulton," said Kyle Bruemmer, interim city engineer for Fulton. "There are several pumps involved here."

Lift stations use pumps to move wastewater from a lower to a higher elevation. This one's pumps are well past their intended lifespan, Fulton Superintendent of Utilities Darrell Dunlap told the Public Utilities Board at the June meeting.

The Route O station was built in the early 1980s and serves about half of the community. At least 700,000 gallons of wastewater flows through the station on an average day. During heavy rain, the volume can increase to millions of gallons.

Vandevanter has worked with Fulton before to repair the Hilltop Lift Station, and it was a good experience, Bruemmer said.

Cannell authorized the spending of $398,807 on the project. The city anticipates spending about the same amount again on a new force main, valve and other components sometime in the future. While hardly chump change, the bill could have been far higher.

"The cost was originally estimated by another consultant at $1.6 million," Director of Administration Bill Johnson said. "You guys did a great job."

To keep costs low, the project will tap into available personel resources at the city.

"We're trying to control the costs by doing the engineering heavy lifting in-house," Bruemmer said. "Vandevanter and my staff will work together on the engineering elements."

The city considered two other bids on the project during the recent bidding period: $349,470 from Municipal Supply and $522,201 from Enviro-Line. The extras promised by Vandevanter made the difference on the decision.

Vandevanter will be replacing the existing dry pit pumps with larger submersible pumps, allowing the main pump station to be shut down for repairs without disrupting the flow. The site will also be equipped with new controls and an electrical system including a new generator.

As part of the company's bid, Vandevanter offered to install the pump, electrical system and controls; a five-year pump warranty with a two-year maintenance agreement; and assistance with the design and layout of piping, valves, vaults and the wet well.

Construction could begin as early as this month, according to City of Fulton officials.