Repairing lift station roofs was a major topic discussed at Thursday’s Pearl River County Utility Authority meeting.
An unsolicited bid of $4,975 to install a Sarnafil membrane system on the roof of the lift station near Pizza Hut was rejected by the board after they discussed the longevity of the work.
Utility Authority engineer Brooks Wallace said they submitted that bid for board approval because more extensive work involved bids in the $10,000 range.
Board member Marcia Johnson expressed concern since the lifespan of the Sarnafil membrane is only 10 years. She would rather see the flat roof on those lift stations converted into pitched roofs with shingles, which could last as long as 30 years. Every other board member agreed that putting more money into the work would provide a longer lasting product.
Interim Executive Director Mike Caples told the board that four lift stations in the city of Picayune need similar work.
Operations Director Alan Howe said the price for just the materials to construct a pitched roof is estimated to be $2,500, but the labor and insurance coverage is what brought the estimate close to $10,000.
After discussion of the matter, the board decided to reject the Sarnafil membrane system installation bid and requested price information on installation of the pitched roof and shingles for the next meeting.
In other matters the board discussed some of their monthly expenses, such as electricity and gas usage.
Assistant Executive Director Debbie Bounds said last month’s power bill for the Picayune treatment facility came in at about $10,000, and their monthly fuel costs average about $4,000. When heavy rains occur the treatment facility’s power bill rises as operations at the plant rise.
The wastewater rehabilitation project is moving along swiftly so far, said Utility Authority Engineer Vernon Moore. In only a week’s time the contractor has been able to video 8,900 feet of pipe, which is about a quarter of the total project.
During that time the inspections found four manholes that were buried, Moore said.
The next board meeting will be Nov. 20, at 2 p.m. Meetings are now held at the Picayune wastewater treatment facility on Neal Road.