Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded a contract for emergency repairs to the waste water treatment plant digester cover in the
estimated
amount of $42,195 on
Friday, September 16, 2005
. The digester is a critical component of the waste water treatment plant treatment process. It is needed in order to perform final digestion of biological waste. In order to maintain the plant in good working order and maintain effluents in accordance with EPA standards and permits, it must be repaired in a timely fashion. The digester cover is in urgent need of repair. It is in such an advanced state of corrosion that it is only partially functional. The cover needs to be repaired and returned to service by late September to prevent non-compliances.
The timing of repairs is critical. At this time (fall semester) the influx of students taxes the capacity of the WWTP.
The extent of damage and scope of repairs could not be determined prior to the actual removal of the cover from the digester tank. The cover was partially submerged in the tank.
After the cover was removed it became critical that the repairs be done as quickly as possible since the cover is now exposed to weather conditions that can cause further deterioration of the cover and, more importantly, to quickly return the digester tank to full operation in order to avoid violation of EPA requirements for the proper treatment of the wastewater produced by the University. These requirements are that the wastewater be safe and meet stringent environmental standards.
For these reasons, SIUE intends to contract with K & K Metal Works to perform the above emergency repairs.
This emergency/quick purchase was required due to a situation in which public health or safety was threatened.