Centerton looks to Decatur for waste-water treatment solution

DECATUR- The city councils of Decatur and Centerton approved a contract which would send Centerton sewage to the waste-water treatment plant in Decatur.

The Decatur City Council met July 8 to review the eight-page waste-water treatment contract. Alderman Robert Tharp requested a full reading of the document to clarify key points of the contract.

Centerton Mayor Bill Edwards and water and sewer department superintendent Frank Holzkamper were on hand to answer any questions or concerns Decatur council member might have concerning the contract. Linam and public works manager James Boston attended the Centerton City Council meeting on July 9 in the same capacity.

The Decatur City Council also voted and approved an ordinance that would allow Mayor Charles Linam to “execute a waste-water treatment contract with the city of Centerton.” The council approved the ordinance, with the provision the mayor may not execute the contract until after Aug. 19. Current changes in Arkansas state regulations will not be in effect before that date.

“We’ve worked on this a little over two years,” Linam said, giving council members a time line.

The 30-year contract would allow Centerton to pump its waste water to the Decatur plant at a cost of $30,000. This cost would offset any improvement or modification to the plant that Decatur might have to incur to accommodate the added sewage.

Centerton would incur the entire cost of construction of sewage lines and pump stations feeding into the Decatur facility. The estimated cost for this project would be 5.5 million dollars. Several grants are expected to be made available to cover most of the cost. Currently, Centerton uses the Bentonville waste-water facility to treat its sewage.

Under the contract, “The initial base rate shall be $3.10 per 1,000 gallons of flow for residential customers and for commercial customers discharging less than 300,000 gallons of fl ow per month, and $3.68 per1,000 gallons of fl ow for commercial customers discharging 300,000 gallons or more per month.” These rates are similar to those which Decatur residents and businesses pay.

Currently, the Decatur waste-water plant handles an average of .98 million gallons per day. Monday through Friday averages are about 1.17 millions gallons.The plant is operating at about 80 percent capacity, which translates to 1.8 million gallons. With the added waste water from Centerton, the plant would still operate well within the maximum limit.

“Under this contract, both Decatur and Centerton would benefit,” Boston said. “It’s a win-win situation for both cities.”

News, Pages 1 on 07/17/2013