DCMSA authorizes up to $159,250 to refurbish wastewater bar screens; staff flag 14-week lead time

Trustees for the Del City Municipal Services Authority approved authorization for refurbishment of the wastewater-treatment plant's bar screens on April 20, voting to proceed with a sole-source vendor pending verification. The authorization is not to exceed $159,250.

Staff described the equipment as critical to the headworks process and said continued filter damage and downstream failures could leave the plant out of compliance. The manager and trustees discussed emergency procedures and scheduling for a special meeting if sole-source documentation was not received promptly. Staff warned that the company estimates about a 14-week lead time after order placement for refurbishment to be completed.

One trustee framed the decision in public-safety and compliance terms: "This is a very large expense over $159,000, but I think it's necessary for the health and safety of our community," the trustee said. Trustees voted to authorize the expense and added that they would pursue sole-source verification and, if required, a special meeting to ratify emergency action.

The DCMSA also ratified a separate emergency payment of $13,500 earlier in the meeting for Headworks pump repairs.