Post date: Aug 19, 2012 12:48:56 AM

Johnson Lake SID takes bids for new wastewater cell

By HARRY G. PERKINS Hub Regional Correspondent | Posted: Friday, August 17, 2012 4:00 pm http://www.kearneyhub.com

JOHNSON LAKE — Four bids to construct a new sewage cell for Johnson Lake’s wastewater system were opened Wednesday.

The trustees of the Johnson Lake Sanitary Improvement District awarded the bid to Van Kirk Brothers Contracting of Sutton for $483,633. The Van Kirk offer was 8 percent less than the engineer’s estimate of $528,125.

Final approval of the bid is expected soon from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.

Van Kirk Brothers was the principal contractor for construction of the lake’s sewer system. DEQ has already approved plans for the cell and agreed to loan the construction costs to Johnson Lake SID.

Original plans called for four cells. The need for the new cell has come about on the schedule set by Olmsted and Perry engineers of Omaha.

Jim Olmsted said he expects construction of the new cell will begin right after Labor Day. Completion is expected by Dec. 1. Seeding and final completion is expected to be done by May 31.

Olmsted said the cell will be seasoned with two feet of water as soon as the bottom is compacted. Previous testing has indicated the ground has enough clay to prevent wastewater leaching without using bentonite.

In other business, the board was told by SID Clerk Larry Ossenkop that the number of delinquent assessments was reduced to seven. Those properties could face foreclosure. On Aug. 1, there had been 23 residential users delinquent on fee payment.