Public Works Director Larry Lynch says maintenance on the “solar bees” in the township’s wastewater facility have cost the municipality nothing over the years.
He told council last week that warranties have covered any work done on the bees, which are solar powered circulators intended to assist in oxygenation and ammonia removal, improve sludge digestion and maintain ice-free areas during the winter.
In fact, Lynch added, the township even received for free one maintenance repair above and beyond the warranty.
Councillor Jim Curry had previously expressed concern about the cost for the “tremendous amount of maintenance” the bees have required over the past five years. Lynch promised to return to council with the maintenance figures.
Despite Curry’s concerns, the township agreed to proceed with a $15,586 maintenance agreement with H2O Logistics Inc. for the bees, which were relocated from lagoon cell two to cell three to coincide with the installation of a new aeration system in cell two.
