Fort Wayne’s careful financial planning has put it in a position for growth and success, according to its chief executive.FORT WAYNE – Fort Wayne is getting a jump on converting its water disinfection process to avoid expensive federally mandated air quality improvements.
The Board of Public Works on Wednesday approved buying a 2,500-kilowatt emergency generator from MacAllister Power Systems for $735,400 for the city water plant.
Doug Fasick with City Utilities said buying the generator is necessary as the city prepares to shift from using chemicals to purify drinking water to an ultraviolet disinfection process. The city plans to make the conversion – which could cost more than $20 million – over the next several years.
Because ultraviolet disinfection requires far more electricity, Fasick said the city needs another generator to ensure the plant can run during a power outage. The city currently has two generators, which each provide enough power to run the plant if the other fails. That would not be the case if the city uses UV rays, Fasick said.
The city doesn’t plan to install the generator until late next year but decided to buy it now to avoid new federal emission requirements for diesel engines that take effect next year. Fasick said those standards could add 60 percent to the engine’s cost, plus thousands of dollars more by requiring the city to retrofit its generator room. In total, he said, the city expects to save $950,000 by buying the engine this year.
The generator bought from MacAllister is compatible with the two existing generators at the plant, which that company provided in 2005. Fasick said having a single type of generator will minimize operation and maintenance costs.
