GRAVETTE — Gravette is seeking a new engineer to handle the city’s wastewater treatment plant project.

Joe Tarvin of EGIS Engineering, Bentonville, has submitted his resignation from the project, according to Gravette mayor Byron Warren.

Tarvin had been approved by the city at a recent council meeting and his resignation was unexpected.

He had been working withthe city for several months in an attempt to find a solution to the problem Gravette faces in meeting effluent discharge limits as outlined by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.

The city is mandated to meet phosphorus and nitrate effluent limits required because the Gravette plant discharges into Railroad Creek, which is termed a losing stream and flows into Spavinaw Creek.

Warren said contacts are being made with several engineering firms to work with the city and FBC Technology, designers of a bio-block system which the city hopes will meet state requirements at less cost than proposals ranging up to more than$6,000,000, as presented by the original engineering firm, McGoodwin, Williams and Yates. The city had terminated its contract with that firm several months ago and has been working with EGIS since that time.

“I wish to thank EGIS for their work on the wastewater project. They are continuing work on other city projects being planned,” Mayor Warren said.

News, Pages 1 on 11/09/2011