News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Gainesboro Aldermen considering options to repair a generator fuel tank at the city’s sewer plant suffering from rusting and clogging issues.
Gainesboro Wastewater Manager Chad Scott said the issues have caused the generator to shut off after only running for a couple of hours. The city received two bids with one bid of $25,000 to implement a new tank and one for a cheaper option of about $4,000 to refurbish the current tank. Consulting Engineer Nathaniel Greene said he would like to talk to TDEC before the city decides.
“Because your plant is rated at what it is rated at you are not required to have a generator,” Greene said. “So you are not required to have one. it is good practice to have one, but I mean that’s just one thing. It’s good practice to have one because if you didn’t have it you can’t treat it.”
Aldermen tabled the decision as they would like to see more information before making a decision. Aldermen Tom Goetz said he was in no rush to approve a bid.
“I don’t think we should do it personally,” Goetz said. “We are not out of compliance. It doesn’t run that often, I don’t have enough information to say that’s a good deal we got to just jump on that and do it. I really don’t think so.”
Aldermen Beth Young said she had concerns about refurbishing the tank as the issue would likely happen again and the timeframe for how long a refurbished tank would prevent the issue from recurring was not known. Public Works Director John Pigg said he would investigate the tank to see if refurbishing the tank is a viable option.
“This month I’ll try to pump the fuel that is in it out,” Pigg said. “Get somebody with a borescope to see actually how bad the inside of it is and they give us a recommendation if they think it can be cleaned or be reusable or not.”
Pigg said the city does have a mobile generator that is used when natural disasters happen. Pigg said it would not be a viable option as the mobile generator is on hand for hospitals and nursing homes and likely would not be used for the sewer plant.
