Hastings Department of Public Services Director Lee Hays told the City Council Aug.8 that they had finally received an approved National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the Wastewater Treatment plant that was applied for over a year ago.

NPDES permits typically specify water discharge requirements, maximum flow rate, pollutant concentration limits, allowable pH range and maximum temperature. NPDES permits are issued for up to five years; provide for inspection and monitoring  and require notice to the public, the EPA and the DEQ.

“As a result of the quality of our operations at the plant, testing requirements have been reduced. Now, testing is not required on weekends, reducing overtime at the plant by 208 man hours and reducing lab costs by 30 percent,” Hays said. “In addition, as part of the new permit, less toxicity testing is required, saving approximately $7,000 annually.”

Hays also reported that by DEQ mandate, the city crews must “exercise” the valves that open and close water mains. The valves will be opened and closed several times to make sure they are in working order after not being used for some time, in some cases up to 20 years.

Hays developed a plan to check the valves before 2019 that was approved by the DEQ. The goal is to assure that all valves in the distribution system are operational. “There will undoubtedly be some minor headaches as we embark on this program, with replacing non-functional valves, but will be worth the effort in the end,” Hays said.

He estimated there are 470 valves to be tested. In the present Clinton Street upgrading of water lines, four of the six valves they used snapped, he said. Any questions regarding the operations at the water or wastewater plants can be answered by contacting Hays at 269-945-2468.