Thursday, May 2, 2024–3:30 p.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
Members of the Rome Water and Sewer Committee made two key decisions during their Thursday meeting regarding the construction of a new reverse osmosis treatment facility to filter out per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the Oostanaula River.
The committee made up of Commissioners Randy Quick, Jim Bojo, and Bill Collins, reaffirmed Riverside Parkway as the best location for the facility. They are also recommending that a competitive bid process be used instead of a construction manager at-risk. Earlier this year, during a Rome City Commission planning retreat, commissioners asked to tap the brakes on the project and reevaluate some things.
Rome City Commissioner Wayne Robinson, who has been against the Riverside Parkway location, attended Thursday’s committee meeting.
“We’re taking a valuable piece of property that has a lot of potential revenue for the city and putting a non-producing building there,” he said.
Bryan Pate with InSite Engineering, who has been working with the city on the project, told the committee that a number of sites were looked at for the new treatment plant.
“Really, the only two feasible sites, from a construction and timing standpoint, are the existing water plant site and the Riverside Parkway site,” he said.
The issue with the current water treatment facility site on Blossom Hill is that there would be no room to expand in the future, according to Rome Water and Sewer Division Director John Boyd.
“I don’t want to look at putting a facility somewhere and then that’s all we’re able to do,” he said. Then, you are locked in and there is nothing else that can be done.”
Earlier this month, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced new water quality standards, which are essentially zero-tolerance for PFAS. The standards will be enforced starting in 2029. The enforceable levels for PFOA and PFOS, which are the two main PFAS that Rome is dealing with, will be 4 parts per trillion.
“All it will take to kick you guys over that MCL is one new industry coming to town and increasing water production at the water plant,” Pate said.
The City of Rome has $154 million in water suit settlement funds in the bank, with an additional $30 million anticipated. The final price tag for the reverse osmosis facility could be more than that. Mayor Craig McDaniel said he would like for the project to be done without going into debt.
“I’m with you, and I would agree,” Rome City Manager Sammy Rich told McDaniel. “However, until we get bids I cannot say that. Full disclosure, we may very well be back here talking about having to borrow money.”
Boyd told the committee that there would be some grant money and that bidding the project out could also result in some cost savings.
“We want a great product at a great price,” he said.
The PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, don’t break down readily in the environment or the human body. They are used in a variety of applications from making carpets stain-resistant to non-stick cookware. New studies also show that the chemicals are also in band-aids, contact lenses, and toilet paper, according to Pate.