Town of Taber replacing primary clarifier

By Cole Parkinson
Taber Times
cparkinson@tabertimes.com

The Town of Taber is moving forward with purchasing equipment for their primary clarifier.

Replacement of the primary clarifier chain and cross collector was in the 2019 capital budget and administration was looking for council to sole-source this equipment through Novatech Equipment Sales Inc. as it replaces the existing equipment.

The need to upgrade certain components of the clarifier comes from the fact it would ensure the wastewater plant treats the town’s sanitary waste and the new equipment would have a life span of 10 to 12 years.

“This a bit of a unique one due to the uniqueness of our clarifier, and the infrastructure there. Administration is actually looking for some direction to sole source this one,” added CAO Cory Armfelt at council’s regular meeting on July 15.

While other suppliers could be used, additional costs would be added in order for their equipment to work on current town infrastructure.

Currently, allocated funds for the project in the 2019 capital budget is $225,000 with a cost for the chain parts at $72,889.00 and cost for the cross collector at $139,726.00 for a total of $212,615.

“Our primary clarifier, we did point out that some components within that clarifier would have to be replaced. We are rebuilding it so we really only had one supplier of the same equipment that we have. If we went to other sources the specifications would change and we would have to change and modify. We are asking council to sole source this so everything fits and everything will be within our budget,” explained Gary Scherer, director of public works.

Once purchased, the clarifier equipment would then be installed over the winter by town staff.

While an estimate of the life span would be dependent on flow volume, the number comes from experience as the existing parts have been operational for the past 11 years.

Council inquired if Novatech Equipment had been used prior.

“They have supplied numerous parts for our wastewater line lots of times, especially for the clarifier. This isn’t the first part we have bought from them,” answered Scherer.

A motion was made to direct administration to buy the equipment from Novatech Equipment and was carried unanimously.