DECATUR — Work has begun on installing the Decatur wastewater treatment plant’s new generator.

The giant 1 megawatt diesel generator will power the entire treatment plant in the event of a power outage and will bring the city into compliance with its ADEQ permit that requires emergency power backup, according to James Boston, city utilities director.

Subcontractors have been doing electrical work and pouring concrete pads, and the generator should be completely installed in a few weeks, Boston said.

The generator costs a total of $292,000, but most of its costwas covered by a $265,000 Community Block Grant.

A second smaller natural gas generator - comparable to a generator that would be used to power a home - was installed on Grant Springs Street to provide back-up power for the lift station.

News, Pages 1 on 08/08/2012