Logan’s sewage treatment facilities to expand
A declaration of official intent to expand the Sewage Treatment Facilities was unanimously accepted Wednesday at the Logan Municipal Council meeting.
The declaration gives the department of Public Works the go ahead to research the impact an expanded facility would have on Logan and surrounding areas, including Utah State University, said Kevin Hansen, director of Public Works.
A major consideration of the project is that the state standard for amount of ammonia per liter of water has changed from 15 milligrams per liter to 3.2 mg in the winter and 3.4 mg in the summer. If this new standard is not met as of July 1, a fine will be placed on Logan and the state would come in and oversee the changes needed to meet the standard. These charges could be anywhere from $45 million to $75 million, compared to the maximum bond asked for of $9 million, Hansen said.
“This is, by far, the best way to go. It would be a worthwhile investment and we would reap a great reward,” Hansen said.
Hansen said the department of Public Works plans to pay the bond back by balancing out the sewage treatment fees so users pay for the service they get, with everything being based on flow of sewage. The payback time will be spread out over 20 years with a slight change in rates from $12.75 a month to $14.75 a month for residential areas. It has been five years since there was a fee increase on sewage in Logan, and the first increase since 1993 for USU, Hansen said.
Part of the current problem with the Sewage Treatment Facilities is that 53 percent of the contaminated water is from leaky pipes, Hansen said. This problem can be resolved by people investing in collection systems and to repair their piping, he said.
Hansen said the timeline for the project would start with having the bond package ready in January. Construction would then start in March and the facility would begin operations in July, in time to meet the new standards.
“We have no choice except to meet the standard. If not, the fee would be $10,000 each day that the standard is not met,” Hansen said.
Another issue addressed was the question of vacating a portion of right-of-way at Skyridge Circle, which is at 1200 N. Main St. The project would close off half of Skyridge Circle and go through to 200 West, with a minor offset at 200 East to reduce the flow of traffic through that area, said Mike Mecham, city engineer.
Mecham said, this project would be part of the Sam’s Club Development and 1250 North between Payless and Sizzler has already been realigned. The changes made would bring about a new intersection on Main Street leading from the Cache Valley Mall parking lot to the future Sam’s Club location.
A public hearing will be held at the next council meeting for anyone who has questions or comments about the proposed project. The next meeting will be held Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 6:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 255 N. Main St.