Stating at the outset that Henderson is “very proactive when it comes to water resources and utilities,” Interim City Manager Ed Wyatt told council members that he was “anxious” to talk to them about replacing the water plants UV disinfecting system “as soon as reasonably possible”.
A UV disinfection system kills microorganisms is treated water without the use of chemicals by destroying the DNA of the fauna exposed to the UV radiation.
The system is required for the plant to comply with North Carolina regulations.
The cost of replacement of the system has been initially estimated at $535,000.
Assistant City Manager Frank Frazier told members that there is “an immediate need” to focus on a UV replacement program.
Director of the Henderson Water Reclamation Facility Tom Spain told the council that the UV system in the sewer plant has had two fires in the electrical system in the last eighteen months. He said that he has been able to keep the plant in compliance through what he characterized as “creative wiring”.
Spain expressed a concern that the system will “catch on fire and burn up”.
“It’s going to fail,” Spain said. “It’s just a question of when.”
The director told council members that the manufacturer of the system, installed in 1992, has been unable to locate the problem. He said that he has had an insurance claim out on the issue since last year.
Spain said that he has been unable to get the system “stabilized completely”.
He noted that a new system would be able to handle a future expansion of the plant’s capacity.
Wyatt told members that the need was coming “faster than we had anticipated”. He said that the city staff would do the best it can to “get every dollar we can from grants”.
Council member Garry Daeke praised the staff, saying that “it sounds like you’ve done a remarkable job to keep on task”.