Phosphorous $205,000 problem for Ferdinand

Remember back in the 1960s when products were touted as being superior because they contained phosphates?

Turns out, phosphorus is really a dirty word, at least when it comes to its affect on wastewater treatment plants and the environment.
Phosphates are in everything, and a main component in fertilizer.

Ferdinand officials learning last summer when the Indiana Department of Environmental Management issued a new NPDS permit, the town would have three years (now down to two and a half) to fix its excessive phosphorus problem.

According to Eric Parsley with Commonwealth Engineers, the cap for phosphorus in sewage is 1.0 mg/l per liter. Over the past three years the average has been five milliliters per liter but runs sometimes as high as 29 mg/1.

Parsley attended the Tuesday night Ferdinand Town Council meeting to impart results of a study his firm has conducted in an effort to address the problem.

He outlined two removal alternatives — biological and chemical — and recommended chemical removal as a less costly, more manageable option.

Here’s how it works. A coagulant metal/chemical is added so the phosphorus solidifies and settles in clarifiers. This method would reduce phosphorus but increase sludge production.

Parsley and his team went so far as to create a model to determine whether an additional clarifier would be needed (it would not). A 2,000 gallon chemical storage tank would be required, as well as an 8×10 building to house the chemical feed pumps and control equipment plus piping.

Still awake?

The estimated cost for this alternative is $205,000, not including construction costs. However, that price tag is significantly lower than a biological phosphate removal system, which would cost about $1,132,500 (the price includes chemical removal as both would be needed with this option).

After a lengthy discussion, Town Council members agreed to send a letter to IDEM by the December 1 deadline noting Ferdinand is opting for the chemical system.

What to do with the solidified sludge after treatment is a whole other matter.

Parsley laid out three options, all of which the council will consider.

The most likely scenario was labeled Alternate B-3 Drying Beds and Dewatered Sludge Land Application. This would be cheaper than the other two alternatives at $1,441,000, BUT would require purchase of 10 acres within two miles of town where the liquid sludge would dry in a drying bed facility.

Anyone with 10 acres for sale should contact Wastewater Superintendent Roger Schaefer.

Parsley providing many other details, including annual operating, maintenance and repair projects, construction costs, capital costs and related costs. It was a lot to digest, so council members decided to analyze the information before making any decisions. They know this will be a race, however. A permit application to IDEM must be submitted by August 1 so most of the design work will have to be completed prior.

Then there’s funding, for which Town officials will likely look to the State Revolving Loan Fund or Rural Development. Either body will need a preliminary engineering design report.

Whatever the decision, Council President Ken Sicard said abusers who add phosphorus to the system may be charged a surcharge on their sewer bills.

The council also:

–Amended the text of Zoning Ordinance land use requirements dealing with off street parking and parking lots by adopting Ordinance No. 2014-19. To improve water run-off, lots/drives will have to be surfaced with asphalt or concrete within one to two years of construction.

–Adopted Ordinance 2014-20, replacing a Zoning Ordinance Amendment to the Municipal Code for design standards on all streets relating to storm water draining, including subdivisions. An application must now be submitted to build a driveway.

–Gave thanks and an ovation to Chief Ricky Patton, a Navy veteran, on Veteran’s Day, and another for Forest Park band members in attendance.

–Heard from Patton that Officer Nathan Lueken competed Instructor Tactics Training and all full time department members have averaged 45-50 hours of continuing education this year (24 hours annually are required).

–Learned the Fire Department was called out six times in October, one for fire and five First Responder calls. Later in the meeting resident Joyce Beck gave kudos to the fire, EMS and police departments for their excellent handling of a fire in apartments she owns.

–Learned Big Foot, the monster truck used to land apply sludge, is out of commission due to hydraulic failure and is at Stark’s for repairs.

–Heard from Schaefer he has been working with Active Environmental Services to work out details for remediation at the Ranger Mart.

–Learned Town Manager Chris James attended a session on Code Red to discuss a county wide call out system for emergencies, as well as a session on economic development in Tell City, accompanies by Councilwoman Debbie Johnson. Both found it information and thought Ferdinand should host a similar session early next year, asking Purdue to provide analytics.

–Asked Utility Superintendent Henry Haake to seek contractor quotes to replace the west side water main, rather than having his department handle the work so as to expedite construction.

–Discussed storm water run-off problems with Joyce Beck, whose company owns Country Plaza Shopping Center. Engineer Steve Grundhoefer, who is on the Town’s Plan Commission, was also present and said the Dollar General Store had Cash Waggoner investigate drainage problems at their facility. Retention measures were incorrectly installed and there is no orifice in the rock basin, among other problems. Town attorney Bill Shaneyfelt advised Beck to talk to her own attorney about the problem as the contractor didn’t build the storm water measures to spec.

–Agreed the 2015 EDIT Plan, for which Clerk-Treasure Bev Schulthise estimates there will be $336,000 available, will include continuing ADA projects, street projects, a fire truck and Town Hall upgrades.

–Authorized Schulthise to look for a 4-wheel drive replacement vehicle for the town office.

–Heard the annual Chamber dinner is set for December 3, the Town Christmas Tree Lighting for December 5 and the next regular council meeting for December 9. A BZA meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19 at 6:30 p.m. following by the Plan Commission at 7 p.m.