AGENDA REPORT
DATE: April 13, 2026
TO: City Commission
FROM: Bill McDaniel, City Manager
SUBJECT: Emergency Belt Filter Press Repair in Water Reclamation Facility
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Water Reclamation Facility operates two 2-meter Belt Filter Presses that are essential to the wastewater treatment process. On April 7, 2026, one of belt filter presses experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure when its roller shaft snapped during normal startup, striking an adjacent bearing housing before falling onto the stainless-steel drain pan. The unit immediately shut down and remains out of service. A preliminary inspection by Utility Maintenance team identified multiple deficiencies and several of the required repairs are beyond the department's in-house capabilities.
Both presses typically run 8-10 hours per day, four days per week, and the loss of one unit places significant strain on the remaining equipment. As sludge accumulates, the facility risks exceeding on-site storage capacity, compromising secondary and tertiary treatment processes, potentially violating permit limits for CBOD, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, Fecal Coliform, and Total Suspended Solids. These risks increase as influent flows rise during the wet weather season, reducing the facility's ability to maintain full treatment performance and limiting reclaimed water production.
It is necessary that the City proceed without delay to avoid environmental harm, public health risks, and regulatory non-compliance. Staff is coordinating with Alfa Laval, Inc., the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), to perform a complete repair of the existing belt filter press (Klampress) unit using new OEM parts, including removal, installation, freight, start-up, and a one-year warranty.
In accordance with Section 255.20(1)(c), Florida Statutes, the mechanical failure of the belt filter press is a sudden unexpected event that creates an immediate danger to the public hea...
Click here for full text