Curtiss purchases aerators for wastewater facility

The Village of Curtiss has purchased 10 aerators for their lagoons at the wastewater treatment center. The decision was made at their monthly board meeting on June 7 to bring down the high volatile solids and stabilize the sludge, they purchased the aerators for a total price of $58,330.

The aerators are designed to supply 310-lb of oxygen per day. They are capable of supplying air at 346 SCFM (standard cubic feet per minute) at 3.83 PSI Director of Public Works Larry Swarr talked about his discussion with Triple point about the aerators, why they are needed and what they are for. The aerators will stabilize sludge and reduce high volatile solids by digesting the solids. They also prevent the production of sulfur dioxide which causes odors.

“My question to Triple Point was do we need aeration? They said when it comes to the end of the day if you have high percentage of volatile solid, the aerators will digest that down,” said Swarr.

“From the perspective of storage, if you didn’t have high volatile solids they said you’d probably be able to store the waste. The high volatile testing came back at 52 percent, almost 51 percent, so basically half that waste is because of the insufficient treatment,” said Swarr. “If we had a better aerator system, we would, in theory, have 50 percent less sludge.”

“Now they may not digest all 50 percent by August but you will see at least a 20 percent reduction,” said Swarr.

President Betty Rettig commented on the smell. “I can tell you it does stink out there.”

The next board meeting will be July 5 at the post office in the village of Curtiss.

Other Business

n The Village of Curtiss approved a motion to send Abbyland a noncompliance letter.

n The board approved a motion for a GSB88 and line painting for the roads at a price of $19,537.

n The board approved a motion to rezone parcel #111.0115.000 to commercial C2.

n The board is waiting to pay the other half of their water tower painting of $52,200. They are trying to get $8,000 taken off the total price of $104,400.

n The board approved a motion to reassign Carol Devine as clerk for two more years.