The Knox Wastewater Department is updating its equipment. The board of works recently agreed to let Superintendent Jason Clemons buy a new self-priming, trailer-mounted bypass pump for just over $25,000, the lowest of the three quotes he received.
Clemons explained the pump can be used at the plant during maintenance work or taken to one of the city’s lift stations during an extended power outage or other problem. “It’s time to update them,” he said. “I mean, them pumps are 40 to 60 years old, so it’s time to change them out.”
Mayor Dennis Estok said he wished new pumps would have been included in the project grant for the recent wastewater plant upgrades, but said the money is available. Board members also agreed to let Clemons spend up to $7,000 for the necessary hoses and accessories, but he expected the actual cost to be less than $3,000.
His next priority is to resume the city’s sewer lining effort. It still has to go through a formal bid process, but an initial quote put the cost of the proposed work at over $100,000.
