The City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant uses primary operational power from Duke Energy Corporation. Two standby generators are required to operate the plant under emergency conditions when power is not available through the power company. Generator No. 1 operates the front end of the plant and supplies power to operate pumps, blowers, grit separators, and aeration tanks used in the preliminary treatment of raw sewage. This generator was removed and replaced during the 2007/2008 budget year. Generator No. 2 is 25 years old and is used to operate the back half of the plant in sequence with generator No. 1. The age of the generator and its antiquated technology no longer makes it a suitable back up or emergency power source.
Should City Council approve the purchase, both generators will be able to communicate with the Plant’s wireless communication system or SCADA. Both generators will be able to adjust in sequence. This will reduce costs associated with energy usage, operational wear and tear, as well as chemical usage cost. Staff will repurpose the existing generator into a mobile unit to be used in emergency events where power may be down at a master lift station or at a City facility such as City Hall.