League City crews plugged a wastewater leak at the Dallas Salmon Wastewater Treatment Plant after deteriorating fill in an abandoned drain line let sewage flow into a nearby manhole.
Wastewater Operations and the Line Repair Department worked together to install a manual plug that stopped the unwanted flow, according to the city's Public Works Week in Review published Thursday, Oct. 15. The digester has returned to normal operation.
The plug held.
The leak originated from an old drain line that had been filled with flowable fill, a cement-like material used to seal abandoned pipes. Over time, that fill broke down, and wastewater from the digester began draining into a nearby manhole instead of staying in the treatment process.
The problem did more than waste water. It limited how the city could use the digester and caused older biological material to recirculate through the plant, potentially affecting treatment, the city said. The repair eliminated the leak and restored the digester to full service, protecting the treatment process for residents.
The Dallas Salmon plant sits at 703 N. Wisconsin Ave. The city also has a separate capital project underway there: an influent lift station rehabilitation, designated CIP No. WW2103B. Bids for that project closed Oct. 1.
Industrial fans tackle heat at vehicle shop
In a separate project, the city installed two 16-foot industrial ceiling fans at its Vehicle Maintenance Facility to reduce extreme indoor temperatures for workers.
The fans are Big Ass Fans Powerfoil models, a commercial brand, with six blades and variable-speed operation. The city said the units feature an industrial-grade motor and a precision-engineered gearbox designed for reliable performance in large shop spaces.
Ryan Smith, executive director of facilities, coordinated the installation with the League City Facilities Department team, the city said. The Vehicle Maintenance team credited Smith and his staff for completing the project.
The city said the fans will help reduce the effects of elevated indoor temperatures, particularly during periods of extreme summer heat. League City's Public Works Department employs more than 140 workers who maintain infrastructure ranging from roadways and traffic lights to storm drains, sewers and water production.
The lift station rehab timeline has not been announced.
