Local News

Port Huron to repair roof on odor control building at sewer plant

Photo courtesy of the city of Port Huron. James Freed, left, talks about odor control with Mayor Pauline Repp and City Clerk Cyndee Jonseck.

By Jim Bloch

The city of Port Huron has entered an agreement with Martin Construction to replace a curb on the roof of the odor control building at the waste water treatment plant.

The city council voted unanimously at its regular meeting Oct. 14 to award the work to Martin Construction, of Port Huron, in the amount of $26,000.

“It’s a relatively small project,” said City Manager James Freed as heard on the recording of the meeting posted on YouTube. “We actually put it out to bid in 2023. It was such a small job that we received no bidders. So we solicited Martin Construction and, kind of as a courtesy, he’s willing to come and do it for us since we can’t get anyone else to do it for us.”

Freed described the project in his memo to Mayor Pauline Repp and the council.

“Upon routine maintenance, staff noted the curbing that surrounds the east exhaust fan is deteriorating and rainwater is leaking through the roof membrane,” Freed said. “In turn the roof has been exposed to water and hydroxide vapors, causing further damage. The curb is a 6-inch high, 6-foot fiberglass square that surrounds the exhaust fan. The curb has been purchased from the fan manufacturer who will disconnect and remove the fan and old curb, set the new curb in place and reinstall the fan. A roofing contractor is required to level the new curb, repair the roof, and install flashing.”

That’s what Martin Construction will do.

“As you know, we’re getting a brand new odor control system, but this is the old system and we still have to maintain it,” Freed said. “We did put money in the budget to keep the old system going until we install the new one in the next 24-36 months.”

The city anticipates spending between $5 million and $8 million on new odor control system, which is being designed now.

A number of residents have complained about nasty odors emanating from the plant. The city has responded with interim mitigation moves that appeared to have worked.

“In fact, the complaints downtown have dramatically dropped,” Freed said in August.

The budget includes $345,000 for rehabilitating the existing odor control system until the new one can be installed.

“This will be split between the townships?” asked council member Anita Ashford.

Yes, said Freed.

The sewer plant serves 55,000 customers spread over the city and three surrounding townships. Based on their Sanitary Sewage Disposal Service agreements with the city, the townships are responsible for their percentage of costs to operate and maintain the plant. Under the agreement, Port Huron Township will pay 13.35% of the $26,600 or $3,551; Kimball Township will pay 5.41% or $1,439; Fort Gratiot Township will pay 13.83% or $3,679; the city of Port Huron will pay 67.41% or $17,931.

The city manager also provided some background on the immediate issue. One of the chemicals used in the treatment process has contributed to the corrosion on the roof.

“The facility was built in 1951 for primary treatment and expanded in the mid-70’s to provide secondary treatment capability,” Freed said. “The odor control system was installed in 2004 as part of a solids handling project that allowed for sludge to be stored onsite over the winter and pumped out and land applied from spring to fall. The odor control building was completed in 2005 and houses bulk chemical storage supplies, including sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide. Sodium hydroxide is corrosive and materials with prolonged exposure deteriorate over time.”

The roof curbing work will be completed this fall, after the farmer’s market wraps up for the season.

Jim Bloch is a freelance writer based in St. Clair, Michigan. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.

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