The Centralia City Council Monday night agreed it was time to begin work on plans to replace the city’s water treatment plant in hopes some extra federal money may become available as part of the COVID-19 recovery.
Curry and Associates Engineer Mike Curry has prepared a history of the water plant and his concerns going forward.
“The physical condition of the plant is of course deteriorating due to age. The interior portion of all three clarifiers are all carbon steel and they were painted over 20 years ago. I’m cautious that if we drained those down that would see severe rust corrosion. That could lead to unit failures. That’s what scares me is to have a sudden and massive failure.”
Curry says that could leave Centralia in the same spot the Rend Lake Conservancy District was a few years ago and have no water. Parts of the plant are over 100 years old. On the other side of the coin, Curry reports the plant is still producing good quality water. Curry is also recommending the remaining 12,000 feet of old steel pipe on the Carlyle Lake Water Line be replaced because it is failing.
City Manager Forrest Langenfeld noted this would be the most expensive project the council will be asked to sign off on. He notes while there are current programs available to help in financing the city would benefit through current low-interest rates and perhaps special programs.
“The bottom line translating all that is keeping the rates as low as possible for our citizenry. So getting started on this is probably a pretty good time so we are ready when the day comes.”
Councilman David Sauer feels it is important the public understand the need for completing the project and feels being open in the planning process is important. Langenfeld agreed to move forward on scheduling a work session to begin the process.
