Mapleton will save the cost of a $10,570 inspection and maintenance contract for aeration tubing in cell 3 at the Drayton Lagoon, after consultation proved the work would be superfluous.
At the July 10 Mapleton council meeting, Larry Lynch, director of public works reported that after further consultation, he has determined the work he had recommended on May 22, would be “redundant.”
At council’s direction, Lynch had solicited second opinions from both Township engineers, R.J. Burnside and Associates, and the Ontario Clean Water Agency, which operates the lagoon system.
“I have since learned that the cell 3 aeration system was installed by Nelson Environmental for de-icing purposes – the system was not intended to be part of the treatment process in their original design.
After it failed to be effective for de-icing it was retained for mixing alum In cell 3 (with limited success), and it is viewed in that manner going forward,” stated Lynch in his July 10 report.
“Nelson has suggested that maintenance is required to restore oxygen transfer efficiency and improve the effluent quality and sludge digestion. Since none of these benefits were within the scope of the original installation, or essential for its current use, it would seem redundant to enter into a costly maintenance contract for something that, in effect, is primarily a non-essential mixing operation for alum in cell 3,” Lynch concluded.
