Higher rate proposed for discharging high strength wastewater

SIKESTON — Commercial and industrial users may be paying a higher charge for excessive sewer charges.

During the Sikeston City Council held Monday over Zoom due to COVID-19 concerns, officials heard the first reading of a bill that would put in place a higher rate for those commercial and industrial users who discharge high strength wastewater.

The current determination of rates does not represent the actual cost for excessive sewer discharges of strength and total suspended solids (TSS). BMU wants the updated rate to prevent excessive sewer discharges that disrupt the sewer plant and to reimburse BMU for the disruption.

In addition to raising the strength and TSS surcharges, the ordinance would also add a strength multiplier for excessive strengths and allow the rate to be changes based on BMU’s annual costs without having to draft another ordinance.

Jeff Winders, operations manager with Sikeston BMU, said the current rate is 8 cents for Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and, if approved, will be increased to 49 cents. BOD makes up 80% of the treatment costs with TSS and Flow making up 10% each, according to Waters and Associates.

“I do not know when 8 cents was set,” Winders said.

If proper pre-treatment is performed by the industries, they will not have to pay the surcharges.

Sikeston Mayor Steven Burch asked if this was a conversation BMU had been having with industry for some time and if they understood and were willing to add the pretreatment that was required and Winders said they were.

“The idea behind the strength excessive charge is if somebody discharges a high strength wastewater to us, as industries do, if they get out of their limit, we would give them a surcharge and that is kind of how we keep them in that limit,” Winders said. “At this rate, it’s cheaper for them to pay the fine and move on as opposed to stop discharging that and fix their problem. This is more a deterrent to not discharging high strength waste to us.”

Council will vote on the ordinance at the Dec. 7 meeting.

In other action Monday, Council:

• Appointed Keira Baker to the Traffic Committee.

• Heard the first reading of a bill that calls for a general election April 6, 2021, for the purpose of electing a mayor, and councilman in both Ward 2 and Ward 3 for three-year terms. Council will vote on the bill at the Dec. 7 meeting.

• Heard the first reading of a bill to add stop signs at the southwest corner of Crowe Street and Indiana and the northeast corner of Matthews Street, E. Kathleen Street, E. Gladys Street and Henry Street, all at the intersections with Dona Street.

• Transferred ownership of property located at 107 Alabama currently owned by the City of Sikeston to the LCRA. The structures have been condemned and the property is being maintained by LCRA staff.

• Approved the purchase of three 2021 Dodge Charger AWDs for Sikeston DPS. The state contract price is for $28,634 through Lou Fusz Ford of Chesterfield and remaining dollars will be used to outfit them with necessary equipment. The funds for two of the three new cars and equipment were included in the current budget. One of the new cars will be replacing a 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe that was recently totaled by insurance as a result of a no-fault accident which occurred on Oct. 1. The city will receive $35,125 from the insurance company which will be applied towards the purchase of a Charger and equipment.

• Formally accepted the 2022-2026 Capital Improvement Plan.