Sandpoint to host wastewater open houses

SANDPOINT — As the city prepares to replace its aging wastewater treatment facility, Sandpoint will host a series of open houses to share information with residents. 

Beginning Feb. 6, city staff will educate members of the public about wastewater treatment and the replacement initiative’s progress every other Thursday throughout February and March from noon-1 p.m. in the council chambers at Sandpoint City Hall, 1123 Lake St.

Earlier this month, Sandpoint City Council moved to submit a letter of interest seeking state funds to support the cost of replacing Sandpoint’s treatment facility — a project Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm has described as his top priority for his term in office. 

Contractor Keller Associates is currently developing a preliminary engineering plan for the initiative. In an estimate shared with councilors Jan. 8, the firm projected the final cost of a new plant to be $129,433,000. 

Staff and officials have said the existing facility is at the end of its useful life and that there is a pressing need to modernize its infrastructure. Funding for the project will need to be secured before design and construction can go forward. 

Residents, businesses, and stakeholders are invited to attend the information sessions. City staff tentatively expect to cover wastewater treatment basics Feb. 6, inflow and infiltration Feb. 20, and the plan for Sandpoint’s facility Mar. 6 and 20.