HUMBOLDT - The City of Humboldt’s new wastewater treatment system is progressing and members of Humboldt council were able to tour the facility on Sept. 9.
Peter Burgquist, Public Works and Utilities Director, said, “The new wastewater project that has been underway since early 2024 is moving along well without any major budget concerns.” The cost of the new wastewater treatment system was budgeted for $25.3 million.
The project is about 60 per cent complete and currently, all four cells have been excavated and the next stages are to install necessary sub-drain, air, and chemical piping for the cells and then place a sand bed and begin installing the seepage liners, Burgquist’s report said.
The next steps will be to install internal piping, liners and fill with specialty rock.
The headworks building which is used to receive and screen the raw wastewater is currently installing piles that are being drilled for the building foundation and slab work to follow.
The operations building, which will be used for the air blowers, pumping and chemical systems, is currently receiving the bottom slab and walls for the below-grade chambers. Upcoming work includes completion of grade beams and slab as well as the building frames Bergquists report said.
The force main pipes that will redirect effluent to the new system from Lift 1,3 and 4 are installed to the headworks building but not connected. The force main piping to the lake is to occur this fall, said Burgquist’s report.
Burgquist said pre-construction meetings have occurred and delays for electronics have been identified as a construction schedule challenge. A Catterall and Wright member is on site every day to inspect, survey, record, and resolve challenges that may arise.
There was a reduction in cost with a pipe size substitution with a reduction of $133,760. An additional beam for lifting system added an additional cost of $14,113 as well as additional clay borrow excavation at a cost of $21,000.
