By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green is looking at a $3.6 million bill to repair and repaint two of the city’s water towers, and another $2.1 million for improvements to the city’s water treatment plant.
On Monday, Bowling Green City Council will hear the first readings of two ordinances to move ahead with the projects. The city’s Board of Public Utilities has already approved the proposals.
The water tower ordinance allows the city to enter an agreement with the Ohio Water Development Authority or the Ohio EPA Water Supply Revolving Loan Account for the design, engineering and construction of improvements.
Inspections of the city’s water towers at Carter Park on the east side of the city, and off Mitchell Road on the west side of the city showed a need for the repairs. Bowling Green has a third newer water tower on Newton Road, on the north side of the city, which is currently not in need of repairs or painting.
All the water towers hold up to 1.5 million gallons each, and stand 165 feet tall. The two older water towers were last painted over 20 years ago.
The 2025 budget included $3.6 million for work on the two towers. The project will include painting the exterior and interior surfaces, adding a mixer and trihalomethane removal system, along with other needed maintenance repairs and upgrades identified in the latest inspection report.
The project was originally planned for 2023, but experienced delays over the last two years due to staff’s schedule and changes to funding plans.
The paint scheme for western water tower will likely be similar to the Newton Road water tower and the city may work with BGSU on the Carter Park water tower.
Only one water tower will be out of service at a time to maintain pressures and service in the water distribution system.
The other ordinance would allow the city to enter an agreement with the same entities – OWDA or the WSRLA – for the design, engineering and construction of water treatment plant clarifier improvements.
The 2025 budget included $2.1 million for improvements to the lime softening clarifiers at the water treatment plant. This project is recommended by staff as the process is in need of repair and preventative maintenance due to normal use, age, and general wear.
The clarifiers were originally constructed in 1967. The original scraper and rotor drives were replaced in the 1990s and the tooth racks, roller tracks, roller assemblies, and pinions were replaced in 2009.
The plant’s current average daily production is approximately 5 million gallons of raw water from the Maumee River. The raw water is pumped into a ground reservoir and then proceeds through sedimentation basins for primary settling and clarification. The water then moves on to the accelerator units for final clarification and softening.
The scope of work will consist of removing/repairing corrosion on steel components, cleaning and repainting steel surfaces, removing and replacing launders with stainless steel, replacing drive mechanism, gear box, and rotating assemblies. Only one clarifier will be out of service at a time to maintain plant operations.
This project will ensure reliable operation of the conventional treatment process, and city officials stressed there are no compliance issues or standards violations to be corrected with this project.
Also at the recent Board of Public Utilities meeting, information was shared on several capital projects that are currently in process.
Water Treatment Plant
• Low Service Pump Station #1 Improvements – Held preconstruction meeting with Peterson Construction on March 4. Construction activities are scheduled to begin in July 2025.
• WTP Membrane Expansion – Contracted with Kimley-Horn as design engineer and held a project kickoff meeting on March 10. Design process will likely take most of 2025 to complete construction plans and specifications.
Water Distribution & Wastewater Collection
• Nims Road Waterline, Sewer, Pump Station, Force Main – Contracted with Energy Land & Infrastructure (ELI) as design engineer. Construction plans are 90% complete with final details expected to be completed in 2025 when Abbott Lab officials have finalized their site layout.
• Park Avenue Waterline – Engineering department is working on construction plans and specifications.
• Wallace Avenue Waterline and Sewer Replacement – The Engineering department is working on construction plans and specifications.
• Village Pump Station – Contracted with ELI as design engineer. Design plans are being completed but require coordination with BGHS plans.
Water Pollution Control
• Poe/Mercer Odor Control – Construction bids were opened on Feb. 27. City received one bid and awarded the project to Peterson Construction for $1.5 million. Work will begin later in 2025 after long lead equipment items are delivered.
• Final Clarifier Improvements – Design plans and specifications are complete. City is awaiting final bid document approval from the Ohio EPA, with construction bids to possibly be opened in late April.
• UV System Upgrades – Equipment has been ordered. Staff will install when delivered later this year.
• Septage Screen Replacement – Contracted with Jones & Henry Engineering for design engineering services.
• Poe/Mercer Screen Replacement – Contracted with Jones & Henry Engineering for design engineering services.
Electric
• Carter Park Ballfield Lights – Light poles and new field lighting are installed and wired. Miscellaneous electrical work is left along with aiming of the lights by the vendor. Project cleanup including asphalt patching and landscaping will be performed in the spring.
• Pickleball Court – Bids were opened on Feb. 6 and a contract was awarded to Geddis Paving. Electrical and lighting work was within budget at $130,000. Work will begin in 2025.
• Downtown Decorative Light Pole Painting – Bids were opened on March 25 with plans to complete the work in 2025.
• Northern Circuit Improvements – Design is 90% complete. Working on easement acquisitions in the Ohio 25 and Ohio 582 intersection area.
• Had a kickoff meeting with SEL to perform relay upgrades at the Dunbridge substation. SEL will perform engineering, installation and programming of the relays.
• SSOE has re-started the engineering of the relay upgrades at Gypsy Lane substation for the main-tie-main breakers. The installation of the relays will likely be contracted out.
• City held a kickoff meeting with Verdantas regarding the electrical system study. Potential improvements are being planned to the Woodbridge Business Park as the city continues to market that area for development
