Oxnard Council ponders major wastewater infrastructure problems to empty house

Oxnard Wastewater Treatment Plant

By George Miller

Watch March 4, drug 2014 meeting discussion VIDEO

Meeting attendance was rather light.

At a recent Oxnard Council meeting, vcialis 40mg it was noted that the 1955 vintage wastewater treatment plant “biotowers” were beyond repair and needed to be replaced at about $30 million apiece. The council directed staff to fully assess the situation, buy cialis provide options, along with estimated cost and schedule.  At the 3-4-14 Council meeting it was said that a more timely $5 million investment in the past could have eliminated. or at least deferred, the current $30 MM each replacement cost, sparking a discussion of deferred maintenance. Requirements already seem fairly well documented. It is a matter of deciding what to do and doing it.  It was pointed out that infrastructure needs like these are ultimately non-discretionary, life-supporting and rank up there with other public safety priorities, such as police and fire dept. services.  Councilman Perello brought  attention to all of the open Public Works positions, wondering what the risk is in not filling them.

plant process flow diagram overview

The plant is currently treating over 31 million gallons daily.

It turns out that the biotowers can be dispensed with altogether by making other improvements to the plant, per Public Works.  Current requirements estimated at $11 mm + $4mm in other work. The biotowers must also be demolished (cost was not mentioned).  $15mm is needed for design, with construction to start in 12 months. Stay tuned for more information.

Public Works wants to boost the quality of the water coming out of the treatment plant, since it is to be sent to the water purification plant nearby. The better it is, the easier the job will be at the purification plant.

The  total value of the wastewater plant is estimated at $686 million. Approximately $47-76 million is needed to replace equipment which has already exceeded  its useful life. Well over $100 million in maintenance and upgrades is now required.

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George Miller is Publisher of Citizensjournal.us and a “retired” operations management consultant, active in civic affairs, living in Oxnard.

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