Plan Chosen for Wastewater Project
The Cambridge City Council meeting was held on March 11 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. All council members were present with the exception of Nanette Rhodes who participated by phone. The meeting was brief with few items on the agenda. The City Engineer gave his status report on funding for the wastewater system plan, there was clarification of the streets to be closed for the Hells Canyon Jam event and the members of the Council adjourned for a brief Executive Session. The remainder of this article will cover the main topic of consideration for the city of Cambridge and that is the wastewater treatment facility.
The City of Cambridge, being a small rural town in Idaho, faces many challenges as do others like it, with more stringent regulatory requirements and permit limits. City Council members have to make important financial decisions which affect us all with their main focus to keep the city running smoothly and putting taxpayer dollars to the best use possible. A hearing was held last month on February 12th for public comments on the wastewater treatment facility in Cambridge. Few attended and no oral or written arguments for or against were heard by the City Council. A study was recently completed which outlined three alternatives for consideration which will both accommodate regulatory requirements and support future growth.
Option 1 involves improvements to the current collection system and upgrading of the three lagoons with a high performance aeration systems. This upgrade will allow the system to more efficiently manage biological oxygen demand (BOD), suspended solids and buildup of ammonia levels.
Option 2 involves collection system changes that recycle water for reuse also known as “land application.” This option allows the recycled water to be released on fields where certain crops are grown, however it would involve the purchase of additional land which could be cost prohibitive to the city.
Option 3 involves collection system improvements and non-discharging evaporation ponds. Again this option would require an additional purchase of land.
As you might have guessed these three options come with heavy price tags. In order to remain in compliance with federal and state requirements the city of Cambridge is required to pick one of these three options under consideration. The City Council voted unanimously to consider option 1, the least costly of the three, with the ability to change the selection should more information become available as the process evolves.
