PHASE TWO OF RIO DELL WATER TREATMENT PLANT PROJECT UNDERWAY

It was back in 2003 that the city of Rio Dell received a Cease and Desist Order by the North Coast Region Water Quality Control Board that required a new infrastructure for wastewater disposal.
 
“Most of that technology was simply outdated,” said Stephanie Beauchaine Project Manager. “The last upgrade to the sewer system was made in 1978.”
 
Beauchaine said they finished phase one in April, and should be finished with phase two by October of next year.
 
“When the facility is completed the city will dispose during the winter months directly to the river, and in the summer months to the irrigation sitem,” Beauchaine said.
 
A new storage facility, sludge press and chlorination systems are among some of the projects that were just completed.
 
As for now workers are nearly complete with the disposal site, and are on to the next project.
 
“We’re doing the major electrical,” said Richard Behrens Construction Manager. “Setting the panels, and doing all the underground electrical."
 
Anywhere from 10 to 25 construction workers are at the site 5 days a week, working under local contractors.
 
“There are two contractors doing it jointly,” Behrens said. “Which is Wahlund Construction and Sequoia Construction.”
 
Phase one was funded entirely through a 2.25 million dollar grant. Phase two is funded by a $6 million grant, as well as a $6.6 million loan from the state, which will be paid back through a user fee.
 
It’s a flat monthly rate of $73.94 for each dwelling. But that may change if rate study is approved at the next City Council Meeting and a consumption model is adopted.      
 
"If we switch to a consumption base model essentially what that will mean is the more water you use and introduce into the system, the more you would pay,” Beauchaine said. “That also means, the less you use, the less you would pay."
 
The next City Council meeting is Nov. 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.