Lawton looking at operations of wastewater plant

The City of Lawton is mulling over the idea of hiring a contractor to operate the wastewater treatment plant.

City Council members approved the concept last week by ratifying action by City Manager John Ratliff, who has issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) for operation of the aging plant that is located in the southeast quadrant of the city. City officials said the plant has always been operated by city staff — as Lawton’s two water treatment plants are — but Ratliff said contracting out the service is an idea worth exploring.

The city has had problems with the wastewater plant for years, to include multiple Notices of Violation issued by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality this year citing treatment issues with effluent (water discharged after it has been treated) and with treatment processes. Ratiff said that is one of the factors influencing his decision for RFPs, explaining his goal is to explore ways to enhance the plant’s efficiency, ensure compliance with treatment regulations, and optimize overall operations.

“We want to do our due diligence and explore all options,” he said. “While the NOVs (Notices of Violation) issued to the city this year have been a factor, we also want to address the ongoing challenges in staffing and attracting qualified personnel for the plant, so we are seeking outside consultation to address these concerns.”

Like other departments, the wastewater plant is short some personnel, with the list of advertised posts including maintenance supervisor, plant operator and maintenance technician. Plant staff members are responsible for duties ranging from biological treatment and monitoring of water, to maintenance of mechanical and electrical equipment.

The plant, built in 1978, is in the midst of an $85 million upgrade to equipment and processes, Phase I work that is slated to be completed by Summer 2025. That is just in time for Phase II upgrades to be bid, Public Utilities Director Rusty Whisenhunt has said. The modernization projects are designed to repair or replace equipment so the plant can meet federal treatment mandates.

Those upgrades have helped the City of Lawton respond to Notices of Violation issued by ODEQ, including the most recent notice issued on Nov. 14. That Notice of Violation stems from a January complaint regarding conditions in Nine Mile Creek, an East Cache Creek tributary that receives treated effluent from the plant. The most recent notice cited Lawton for inoperable grit removal basins, aeration system failures and excessive sludge accumulation in primary clarifiers, issues already being addressed, city administrators said. City officials said the plant has been in full compliance since July 26.