By Teri Knight, News Director
From malfunctions to floods to fire (which led to trucking out our sludge for months) in the first half of 2018, the Northfield Wastewater Treatment plant suffered millions of dollars in damage. It also dumped a million gallons of sewage water into the Cannon River resulting in Lake Byllesby beach being closed for a short time. Then in July of 2019 about 5500 gallons of sludge was dumped into the river after another malfunction. The City hired Jacobs Engineering Group last August to assess the operations and other equipment as they move forward. This week Northfield Council received an update at their work session. Administrator Ben Martig said the group identified that maintenance in the facility has been kept to basic tasks, lubrications, etc. However, there was really no preventive maintenance done. Moving forward they will have an asset management system, Martig explained that it’s a computer system where they can create
documented procedures and program in scheduled procedures for tracking making sure they follow manufacturer recommendations. There are also systems that include cost management, including a parts inventory. Jacobs recommended more staff cross training and hiring an additional staff member to focus on maintenance planning and scheduling. The City needs 5 of 7 votes for a budget amendment for the new position which they expect this Summer. Martig said, “this is obviously an important operation and this is an important study so we’re going to want to look at all of the recommendations and have a strategy of how we’re going to put them into effect”. The full report and a link to the presentation:Attachment 1 – Jacob’s Presentation Attachment 2 – Operations Assessment
NH&C increasing Covid-19 testing parameters
Covid-19 testing, is it here in Northfield? NH&C CEO Steve Underdahl said this morning they’re making progress. Not long ago they didn’t have the supplies to be able to collect and keep the test viable while in transition to a lab. Underdahl said they now have more supplies and have a contract with Mayo Clinic to send their tests to them. NH&C’s inhouse analyzer is able to do tests if they had the “reagent” needed to complete them. Underdahl added, “we still aren’t prioritized to receive the reagent yet but we hope to be able to do that soon”. They’ve been able to expand testing to the public that are symptomatic as well as those over 65 and/or immune compromised. He added, “we’re also able to test some non symptomatic folks if you’re having a baby, having surgery, if you’re involved in cancer care particularly chemotherapy or if you’re being admitted to the hospital for some other reason and we need to understand your covid status”. He expects the testing situation to continue to get better. Underdahl says while new cases will continue to go up as the testing becomes more widely available that’s not really a reflection of more disease. As for a measurement, he looks at the statistics of those in ICU’s and the number of deaths. According to Rice County Public Health, as of today, there have been 10 positive cases in Northfield, 169 in Faribault and 2 others without a specific city. Underdahl was joined by Nicole Strusz-Mueller, Director of Clinics in the interview which is on kymnradio.net.
DSI – Covid and Cleanup day
With Covid-19 garbage pickup is a little different too. Northfield’s Program Coordinator, Beth Kallestad, said that DSI drivers are trying to avoid getting out of their trucks and will not pick up extra bags left beside your garbage can. They also ask that you don’t overfill your bins. The City’s shredding event had to be rescheduled but Saturday’s Cleanup Day is on. Although you will have to unload your own vehicle. The event is from 7am to 11am at the Street Shop at 1710 Riverview Dr. There is a list on the city’s website of what’s acceptable and what’s not.
