The Knox Board of Works was informed about some maintenance work needed on the south clarifier at the Wastewater Treatment Plant when members met last Wednesday.
Wastewater Superintendent Kelly Clemons informed members that both clarifiers were installed in the early 1990s and every 10 years they go through and have seals, bearings and braces replaced.
She told members, “We have to have company come in to do that. They bring a crane in and lift the top off and replace all that.” She continued, “So I have a proposal to do the south clarifier at this time.”
There were three quotes presented to members. Cornerstone Stewards, Inc submitted a quote of $25,777, RE Crosby offered to do the work for $27,350 and the last quote from Industrial Installation, Inc amounted to $12,800.
Clemons noted that Industrial Installation has done work for the city in past and commented on extreme the price difference.
She explained, “It’s a big difference, but they’ve done it before, they know what they need. Some of these companies think they have to take apart a lot more than they do to get to these parts.”
Members voted unanimously to award to project to the lowest bidder.
Clemons mentioned that the last time the clarifier parts were replaced was in 2010. At that time, they replaced the bearings, braces and seals in the north clarifier but only changed the seals in the south clarifier because the other parts were in good condition.
Clemons added that she wants to hold off on replacing any more parts in the north clarifier because within the next 5 to 7 years, she’d like to have both clarifiers rebuilt completely.
