Plant 16 undergoes replacement projects
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Big plans are under way for the Amherst Engineering Department as several parts within one of the water treatment plants have reached their expiration dates.

Town Engineer Jeff Burroughs, one year into his appointment to the position, said several replacements will be taking place at Plant 16 during the next two years - the largest being an estimated $4-5 million project, which will replace a 27-year-old filtering system.

Required by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the four filters are the final step before the waste water is released into Tonawanda Creek. Burroughs said that because of the creek's slow flow rate the extra filtering process is necessary. Other treatment plants, based on their dumping location, do not have the requirement.

"The filters are not functioning … there are holes in the filter," he said, adding that during the past five years, there have "bumps in the road" but now the parts need to be replaced.

During a recent Town Board meeting it was estimated the filters were working at a capacity of 12 percent, but Burroughs said that despite that, the water into Tonawanda Creek passed all requirements.

"We want the waste water to be extremely clean," he said. "This plant meets permit regulations without the filters. They provide a backstop for the plant, like when there is high water flow."

As of last week, the department had received responses from the request for qualifications and would be selecting a firm to design the new filtering system. The bid award could be announced at the April 2 Town Board meeting, with installation completion by spring or summer 2008.

Reviewing the options for the replacement of the filters, Burroughs said some estimates were in the $8 million range but the selected process cut that price in half.

"This a new technology for waste water … it's the same that has been used for drinking water," Burroughs said about the filters that will be installed.

It is one of the largest projects for the department and will allow for a larger capacity of water to be filtered.

A $1.6 million bond has also been approved by the Town Board for a four-part project, also at Plant 16.

Burroughs said some of the equipment is original, approximately 30 years of age.

"It is a testament to the good design when the plant was built," he said, adding that after 30-plus years, the parts have reached the end of their service life.

Included in that project is a grit collector replacement - built from stainless steel; transformer replacements; and safety measures that will be put in places around the high voltage areas.

The town is working to meet new regulations that were passed in 2005 to create a safe work environment, Burroughs said.