At the meeting at the Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen on Monday, August 10, two representatives with IMR Lagoon Solutions, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, discussed sludge removal at the lagoon.

According to unofficial minutes from the meeting, they said their company provides an enzyme-based product that will help the digestive system of the lagoon. Their company will provide all the equipment and do the bi-monthly maintenance and report back to the city. They explained that the enzyme breaks down all of the biosolids, thereby reducing the sludge so that the lagoon can function properly.

McClure engineering’s Mike Hall said with this system the city can possibly save a lot of money by not having to haul out the sludge. He noted that in other cities using this method, they are seeing a foot of sludge reduction a year.

The representatives said for the city’s lagoon size, the monthly agreement will be $1,107, and the city can end the agreement at any time with a one-month notice.

Aldermen voted to enter into an agreement with IMR.

In other news, Hall discussed the city’s need for a wastewater study. He said the city has an issue with stormwater getting into the sewer lines that then goes to the lagoon. He said McClure Engineering can do a flow-monitor study to track where the stormwater is entering the sewer lines. He also said stormwater can enter the sewer from downspouts on houses that are connected to the sewer line or from cracks in the sewer lines.

Hall said the study will cover the whole town, so the trouble areas can be pinpointed. He added the city has to do an inflow and infiltration report for DNR every year, and this study can help with that report. The study comes at a price tag of $50,000, and Missouri Rural Water will do a smoke test for the city for free.

Alderman John Clevenger said he thought the smoke test should be the first step in the process, and all aldermen agreed.

No decision was made.