On Aug. 18, the Durango City Council will consider a resolution to rebuild the sewer plant at Santa Rita Park. At the request of the Utility Commission, a volunteer advisory board, a study was done to evaluate alternate sites. Unfortunately, the sites most likely to be feasible and cost-competitive with a rebuild were removed from consideration. Those sites, both city-owned and private, are along the river above High Bridge. Any site south of High Bridge would add cost and duplicate service in the South Durango Sanitation District. The eliminated sites would allow gravity flow from Santa Rita and removal of one or more lift stations, resulting in long-term operating cost and energy savings.
I question whether a rebuild at Santa Rita, with all of the uncertainties of remodeling a plant that must operate 24/7, will result in the lowest sewer rates over the long term. In the interest of future generations, let’s ask the City Council to put all options on the table before making such an important decision.
Chris Wilbur
Durango
Editor’s note: Chris Wilbur is a civil engineer. He served on the city of Durango’s Utility Commission for 16 years.
