City workers save Hillsboro money

By JUDD WEIL

Staff writer

Hillsboro’s water and wastewater department saved the city hundreds of thousands of dollars by handling major infrastructure repairs internally while continuing to battle worsening algae and mineral contamination issues tied to Marion Reservoir, superintendent Morgan Marler told city council members Tuesday.

Among the projects highlighted were replacement of two sewer lift stations, including the city’s primary lift station south of Tabor College. An Industrial Rd. project saved about $130,000 compared with contractor estimates, Marler said, while overhaul of the main lift station near South Wilson St. saved about $180,000 despite unexpected equipment costs.

The city now faces possible replacement of a failed bypass pump.

Replacing the existing pump’s engine could cost $6,000 to $8,000, she said, while a used pump would cost about $38,000 and a new unit about $60,000.

Marler also discussed discovery of severe calcium buildup inside piping at the city water treatment plant had reduced flow from roughly 2,000 gallons per minute to about 400 gallons per minute.

Contractors quoted the repair between $25,000 and $30,000, but city crews completed the work themselves with labor and about $800 in equipment purchases, she said.