City water and wastewater staff on July 7 briefed Elyria City Council on several system upgrades and emergency equipment needs, and the council approved emergency repairs for wastewater pollution control.

A staff member identified the aeration basin upgrade as a consent‑decree project that will increase the plant’s maximum capacity from 30 million to 40 million gallons per day; the project is about 60% designed and the PTI has been submitted to the Ohio EPA.

The staff member also reported a three‑month pilot of the city’s septic program that accepted 282 loads and generated $62,000 in revenue, with most of that income in the last two months of the pilot. The speaker said the plant handled the loads well.

Separately, the city requested emergency approval for replacement of a classifier — equipment that separates heavy organics and dewaters them — after a failure. Staff said vendors reported long lead times (8–12 weeks to order, then about 36 weeks for delivery once design is approved) and that the unit is hand‑made in California. The council approved an emergency ordinance so procurement can begin without delay.

Council also approved an emergency contract with Sullivan Environmental Technologies (a DXP company) for wastewater pollution control repairs; staff said funds were appropriated and that the replacement was needed to avoid downstream process disruption.

Staff further noted the Ohio EPA’s December terminology change: wastewater treatment plants/operators are now referred to as water reclamation facilities and water reclamation operators; the plant superintendent reported being accepted to submit for a Class 4 operator certification and is the operator of record as of July 1.