DERBY – A significant milestone has been reached in Derby’s effort to upgrade its
wastewater treatment system.
Last month, Mayor Anita Dugatto signed off on key contracts to rebuild two of the City’s four pumping stations: South Division Street and Burtville Avenue.
Both pumping stations were constructed in the mid-1960s; no notable upgrades have been
performed at either facility in nearly 50 years.
The contracts were awarded through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process.
The winning bids were within the approved budget for that part of the overall project.
“Derby has been struggling for years to maintain the operational efficiency of both of these pumping stations, often resorting to a ‘spit and rubber bands’ approach to critical repairs,” Dugatto said.
When residents were given the chance to weigh in on financing the long overdue upgrades and repairs in November 2014, they spoke loud and clear by approving $31 million in bond funding.
“Their vote of approval spoke volumes. Residents were no longer satisfied kicking the can down the road – even if that meant assuming the burdensome cost,” Dugatto said.
It is now the responsibility of Derby’s Water Pollution Control Authority board to ensure that the upgrades are implemented in a responsible, cost effective manner with all the appropriate checks and balances in place.
Last month, Mayor Anita Dugatto signed off on key contracts to rebuild two of the City’s four pumping stations: South Division Street and Burtville Avenue.
Both pumping stations were constructed in the mid-1960s; no notable upgrades have been
performed at either facility in nearly 50 years.
The contracts were awarded through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process.
The winning bids were within the approved budget for that part of the overall project.
“Derby has been struggling for years to maintain the operational efficiency of both of these pumping stations, often resorting to a ‘spit and rubber bands’ approach to critical repairs,” Dugatto said.
When residents were given the chance to weigh in on financing the long overdue upgrades and repairs in November 2014, they spoke loud and clear by approving $31 million in bond funding.
“Their vote of approval spoke volumes. Residents were no longer satisfied kicking the can down the road – even if that meant assuming the burdensome cost,” Dugatto said.
It is now the responsibility of Derby’s Water Pollution Control Authority board to ensure that the upgrades are implemented in a responsible, cost effective manner with all the appropriate checks and balances in place.
“The overhaul of Derby’s outdated sewage treatment system is a massive undertaking, one
that requires due diligence and careful planning. And our actions must be consistent with
requirements set forth by Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental
Protection (DEEP),” said Jack Walsh, Chairman of the WPCA board.
DEEP is the authority that licenses all sewage treatment facilities in Connecticut.
“We have to consider Derby’s current needs; but we also have an obligation to plan for the future. We must likewise be mindful of the state’s vision for providing sewage treatment services down the road,” Dugatto said.
To that end, Derby has elected to participate in a study being administered by the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments to examine the feasibility of consolidating wastewater treatment operations in the region. The study is being funded by a $1.35 million grant from the state of Connecticut and includes Derby, Ansonia, Naugatuck, Beacon Falls, and Seymour.
The grant was awarded in June, 2016.
Dugatto points out that the regionalization of operations would not negate the need for Derby’s pumping station improvements currently underway.
“It’s important for Derby residents to understand that the bond funding they approved includes the modernization of Derby’s pumping stations. We need those pumping stations to be fully operational, even if we elect to consolidate processing functions down the road,” Dugatto said.
“A big reason to pursue the regionalization of any municipal service is cost savings. That being said, we have an obligation to our taxpayers to explore a regionalization scenario for our sewage treatment system,” Dugatto said.
Dugatto also spoke to her concerns over the current location of Derby’s sewage treatment plant, which is situated in Derby’s downtown redevelopment zone at the confluence of the Housatonic and Naugatuck rivers.
Dugatto’s concerns were echoed by residents who attended the 2016 Plan of Conservation and Development public outreach meetings, as well as the most recent Community Voices Workshop for the City’s comprehensive downtown revitalization project Downtown Now!.
“We need to take a hard look at all our options each step of the way to ensure we are best serving the immediate and long-term needs of our taxpayers. So, implementation needs to remain a fluid process,” Dugatto said.
DEEP is the authority that licenses all sewage treatment facilities in Connecticut.
“We have to consider Derby’s current needs; but we also have an obligation to plan for the future. We must likewise be mindful of the state’s vision for providing sewage treatment services down the road,” Dugatto said.
To that end, Derby has elected to participate in a study being administered by the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments to examine the feasibility of consolidating wastewater treatment operations in the region. The study is being funded by a $1.35 million grant from the state of Connecticut and includes Derby, Ansonia, Naugatuck, Beacon Falls, and Seymour.
The grant was awarded in June, 2016.
Dugatto points out that the regionalization of operations would not negate the need for Derby’s pumping station improvements currently underway.
“It’s important for Derby residents to understand that the bond funding they approved includes the modernization of Derby’s pumping stations. We need those pumping stations to be fully operational, even if we elect to consolidate processing functions down the road,” Dugatto said.
“A big reason to pursue the regionalization of any municipal service is cost savings. That being said, we have an obligation to our taxpayers to explore a regionalization scenario for our sewage treatment system,” Dugatto said.
Dugatto also spoke to her concerns over the current location of Derby’s sewage treatment plant, which is situated in Derby’s downtown redevelopment zone at the confluence of the Housatonic and Naugatuck rivers.
Dugatto’s concerns were echoed by residents who attended the 2016 Plan of Conservation and Development public outreach meetings, as well as the most recent Community Voices Workshop for the City’s comprehensive downtown revitalization project Downtown Now!.
“We need to take a hard look at all our options each step of the way to ensure we are best serving the immediate and long-term needs of our taxpayers. So, implementation needs to remain a fluid process,” Dugatto said.
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