Geneva takes first step to address sewer woes

GENEVA – Aldermen recommended approval of a nearly $543,000 contract for the rehabilitation of the city’s sanitary and storm sewers at Monday’s Committee of the Whole meeting.

The lowest of three bids received last month came from Insituform Technologies USA, LLC, of St. Louis, Mo., at $493,477, officials said.

The recommendation was for City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins to approve up to nearly $49,500 in change orders for a total amount of $542,824.70, officials said.

The lining project will correct structural deficiencies, prevent root intrusion, and seal out ground water infiltration, officials said.

The City Council heard a presentation in August from Deuchler Engineering Corporation, whose 46-page report detailed the deficiencies, including that the infrastructure in the area of Geneva East is 35 years old.

Inflow – which is water other than what is in the sanitary sewer – gets into the sanitary sewer from improper connections and infiltration of groundwater coming in through the joints, according to the study.

Rehabilitating the entire system would cost $12.33 million, according to cost estimates, but it would be paid for over several budget years, officials said.

The recommendation was for about $500,000 to begin the process of system repairs in the current budget year, but additional costs would be considered in the next budget year, officials said.

The company will do pre-construction cleaning and televising as well as cured-in-place pipelining to address leaks, cracks and tree root intrusions into the sanitary system.

The City Council will take final action on the contract.