DEQ Cites City For Wastewater Violation

Mayor Larry Hart goes through bids with the help of Alderman Bobby Cox.

WATER VALLEY – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has fined the city for being out of compliance regarding ammonia-nitrogen levels in water being discharged from the City’s wastewater treatment facility.
“DEQ monitors these things real close,” Mayor Larry Hart told alderman at their first Tuesday meeting Nov. 1. “They decided to fine us $7500 for that violation.”
The Mayor said that he, Morris Surrette, Superintendent of the Water and Wastewater Department, and Steve Pond, the city’s environmentalist, went to Jackson, met with MDEQ officials and explained to them what the city was going to do to alleviate the problem.
After negotiations, MDEQ officials agreed to lower the fine to $3750 providing that the city would add more air to the cells at the wastewater treatment facility and put in a baffle curtain to slow down the flow of water being discharged from the plant.
Mayor Hart then read an order from MDEQ that detailed the violations and outlined the steps to be taken by the city. The order included an additional fine of $5000 plus $100 per day if the city does not meet required deadlines.
The Mayor emphasized that for the past several months the city has been in compliance.
“I think it would be in order for us to agree to this, pay our fine, and be on our way,” Mayor Hart said.
Aldermen agreed, voting unanimously to sign the order. They also agreed to purchase another aerator for the treatment plant from Environmental Equipment for $7500.
Among other actions at the Nov. 1 meeting, aldermen:
• Heard a report from Water Valley Main Street Director Mickey Howley.
Howley invited Aldermen to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History public meeting Monday, Dec. 5. The meeting is set for 6 p.m. at the courthouse and will provide information about the National Register of Historic Places district for Water Valley.
The Main Street Manager said that the packet put together by Mississippi Heritage Trust would be reviewed at the meeting. “This is a big deal, so we are hoping that y’all will attend.”
He also said that the annual Main Street Shopper’s Guide would come out this month. “We’re working on a new format so, hopefully, it will be fresh.”
Howley noted that the Christmas Parade would be Saturday, Dec. 2. “We’re also going to have an open house on Main Street and gift wrapping before and after the parade. We’re going to coordinate this with the merchants downtown.”
• Opened bids on the BorgWarner water tank rehabilitation.
The city received nine bids ranging from a high of $199,200 to a low of $109,600 from firms as far away as Perry, Georgia and St. Paul, Minnesota. Alderman Fred White motioned to take the bids under advisement and the other aldermen agreed.
“We’ll turn the bids over to Mr. Willis and let them look ‘em over,” said Mayor Hart, referring to Willis Engineering, the city’s engineering firm.
• Opened proposals from engineering firms wanting to provide engineering services for sewer repairs under a pair of grants.
A $295,000 Community Development Block Grant from the state will be combined with a $250,000 Appalachian Regional Commission federal grant awarded last year to make a total package of approximately $600,000 with the city’s contribution of $50,000.
“Look at this,” commented Mayor Hart on the size and weight of one proposal. “I can’t even lift that.”
“They’re going to have to get the bid to pay for the postage,” Alderman Larry Bell quipped.
Mayor Hart explained to aldermen that they would have to grade the proposals using several criteria ranging from qualifications to familiarity with the city’s sewer system.
Aldermen agreed to take the proposals under advisement to evaluate and then grade them.
The board also accepted North Central Planning and Development District as administrators of the grants and then approved advertising for contractors “at the appropriate time” for the sewer project.
• Adjourned after meeting for 34 minutes.
The mayor and board met again on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 11:02 a.m. to accept the low bid of $109,600 from Diamond Enterprises, Inc. of Gloster, Miss., to rehab the BorgWarner water tank.
The board also resolved to apply for a state fire truck grant of $70,000.
Mayor Hart said that the city is also working on a FEMA fire truck grant and the two grants could compliment each other. “We definitely need a new fire truck. The one we have that we are concerned about has ‘rated out.’ We need to replace it to maintain our insurance rating in the community.”
The board adjourned after meeting for three minutes and thirty seconds. Mayor Hart then informed the board that Fred White was absent because of a medical problem.
The next regular meeting of the board is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 6, in the boardroom at City Hall.