Springville approves wastewater planning report; staff cites phosphorus mandate, clarifier repairs and an SSO

The Springville City Council voted to approve the city’s Municipal Wastewater Planning Report for 2023 after a presentation by city staff that outlined the plant’s condition, recent compliance events and planned next steps.

Brad Stapley (city staff/presenter) told the council the state’s 17-page questionnaire helps cities self-evaluate collection and treatment systems and can inform state financial assistance. Stapley described asset findings in the draft master plan, noting two primary clarifiers that a master-plan estimate put at about $1,500,000 to replace each if failed, while targeted maintenance (sandblasting and epoxy coating plus gearbox work) could cost about $155,000: "If these aren't maintained well, then it's gonna cost about $1,500,000 to replace that," Stapley said, adding the city can often extend asset life through value engineering and maintenance.

Stapley also reported the city had one sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) last year when a force main broke near an industrial area and some sewage reached Little Spring Creek; staff said the leak was contained quickly, the city reported the incident to the state, and it was recorded as an SSO though the volume was small. He cited three regulatory violations last year tied in part to the state requirement to remove phosphorus from effluent and to a short mechanical failure at the plant.

To respond to rising operations and capital costs, staff recommended commissioning an in-depth rate study to align rates with treatment costs and inflation and to better allocate charges for stronger industrial discharges. Stapley said the phosphorus mandate is contributing roughly $225,000 per year in chemical costs and is increasing solids-disposal needs.

A motion to approve "Resolution 2024-07 approving the Springville City Municipal Wastewater Planning Report for 2023" was called and adopted by roll call (recorded affirmatives: Mister Jensen; Mister Snelson; Mister Millsap; Miss Wright; Mister Smith). Staff said the report will be submitted to the state and used to guide capital and rate planning.

The council requested coordination with the utility board on the upcoming rate study and asked staff to return with timelines and cost estimates for the study and for any major capital items identified in the master plan.