At its July 7th meeting, the Stanley City Council approved a critical infrastructure upgrade for the city’s wastewater treatment facility, authorizing the purchase of six new basement pumps and motors. The new equipment, totaling $128,978, will be supplied by Crane Engineering, a supplier based in Wisconsin and are expected to be installed in Fall of 2025.
The decision came after a special meeting on June 24th that included a council tour of several city-owned buildings, including the wastewater treatment plant. The wastewater treatment plant tour provided council members with an up-close look at the aging equipment in the facility. Leading that tour was Nick Martin, Wastewater Operator in Charge, who provided detailed insight into the condition and performance of the existing pumps—believed to be original to the facility’s construction in the 1980s. Martin was on hand to answer technical questions and address concerns from council members, helping them understand the necessity of the investment. The pumps in question are located in the basement of the treatment plant and are essential to daily operations, playing a vital role in keeping the system functioning efficiently.
“These pumps are the heart of the plant,” Martin stated. He explained that the pumps are essential for circulating return activated sludge (RAS) throughout the wastewater treatment system. Without them, the plant wouldn’t be able to maintain proper biological treatment, which could cause the system to go septic and fail entirely. The approved funds will cover six new pump assemblies, including motors, to ensure a complete and lasting upgrade.
At the meeting on Monday evening, Alderperson Jason Meyer reiterated that, as discussed during the recent facility tour, the Council agreed to evaluate the potential resale value of the decommissioned pumps and explore options for their possible sale. Mayor Mike Henke confirmed the agreement.