By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
In the words of Assistant City Manager Chris McDonell, work within Whitewater’s oft-discussed wastewater treatment facility is on a path toward “steady progress.”
But alongside the upward momentum has been a series of unexpected costs that have driven up the cost of the remodeling project, which is designed to replace some of the aging infrastructure that is well beyond its life expectancy.
McDonell came before the Common Council on Oct. 18 and shared a list of nine unexpected items that increased the total cost of the project by $100,557. Most of the items are minor in scope and cost, on average, several thousand dollars apiece.
But there are two items — one related to poor soil conditions, the other pertaining to realigning underground piping — that are sizable, cost-wise.
The soil remediation efforts alone clocked in at a cost of $62,085.
“In consultation with the onsite geo technician, general contractor and engineering, it was determined that an over-excavation would be necessary to stabilize the soils,” McDonell said.
Other items on the list of unexpected costs included modifications to the infrastructure providing hot water, outdoor lighting and heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades.
Although none of the items were baked into the total cost of the project when city officials first approved the work, alarm bells have not been sounded at city hall. From the get-go, city officials created a contingency fund with the understanding unexpected costs could crop up once the heavy lifting got underway.
With the $100,557 worth of items deducted, McDonell said the contingency fund for the wastewater treatment upgrade project stands at $1.17 million.
On an unrelated note, the council last week also granted utility provider We Energies an easement on the treatment plant’s property. The legal maneuver reportedly will give We Energies workers better access to the facility when assistance is needed.
