Sparta Begins Process To Replace Storm-Impacted Pump For Water Plant

City of Sparta will solicit bids for a new 300-horsepower high service pump for the water plant after a storm damaged the old pump several weeks ago.

City Council voted Thursday night to begin the bid process. Public Works Director Dillard Quick said the city will end up with a second higher powered backup unit if the bids come in as anticipated.

“When we have everybody, and when I say everybody, O’Connor, Quebec, Walling and Dwight, we have to use the 300 HP motor to keep up with the water demand,” Quick said. “Usually when O’Connor is off of us, we can get by with a 250. But on the high service weeks that O’Connor is on the city’s part, when we furnish water to them, we need the 300. This time we’re actually running longer shifts.”

The pump failed during a recent storm.

“It burned the motor up and it’s the only one we have,” Quick said. “What we’re going to do is go ahead and replace the 300 HP pump that we have this burn up now and change one of the 250 HP pumps that we’ve got in the lower part of the basement and have a backup.

Quick said several suppliers actually have the pump in stock, meaning they could get the pump installed in the next month \par

“It’s a definite need,” Mayor Jerry Lowery said.

The council also approved beginning the bidding process to reseal the tennis courts at North Carter Park. Lowery asked that the striping be done for both tennis and pickleball.