Pat Rankin says the plant’s lift station in need of repair
Imlay City Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Supt. Pat Rankin was at Tuesday’s (Jan. 3) city commisson meeting to report on the status of the plant located on First St. in the Industrial Park.
IMLAY CITY — Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Supt. Pat Rankin filed a report to city commissioners at their regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 3.
Rankin and three employees oversee the plant’s daily operations, including repairs, maintenance and mandated lab reports to the State of Michigan.
The WWTP department also tests and runs annual lab reports for five area lagoons in neighboring communities each spring and fall.
Rankin informed commissioners that the plant’s lift station is in dire need of repair.
He said repairs to the lift station are to be included in an upcoming Fourth Street improvement project, which is part of a Community Development Block Grant to begin soon.
Rankin added that the WWTP Department has two plants; the first being built in 1986; and an addition was constructed in 2002.
In another matter, DPW Supt. Ed Priehs requested a Jan. 17 work session to discuss needed capital improvements and increased costs associated with the city’s water and sewer services.
In another water-related issue, on Dec. 29, 2022, the city received a letter from Michigan Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) notifying of a violation pertaining to the low level of phosphates in the water system during the period when the city was relying on emergency backup wells.
Alterations will be made to correct the phosphate levels in back-up wells should they occur in the future.
Tom Wearing started at the Tri-City Times in 1989, covering the Village of Capac as a beat reporter. He later served stints as assistant editor and editor. Today, he covers Imlay City and Almont as a staff writer. He enjoys music and plays drums and sings with various musical groups in the Detroit Metropolitan area.
