GROSSE POINTE FARMS — As part of their commitment to ensuring uninterrupted access to clean drinking water, Grosse Pointe Farms officials are advancing a key infrastructure upgrade at their water treatment plant.
During a City Council meeting on July 8, the council unanimously approved a bid from Bruce Township-based Rauhorn Electric Inc., valued at $320,826.45. This contract includes the installation of a new 550-kilowatt natural gas generator, a crucial upgrade to the plant’s backup power system.
City Councilman Neil Sroka detailed that the generator itself will cost approximately $250,000. This amount is supplemented by a 10% contingency fund and an additional $35,000 allocated for DTE Energy to enhance the gas pressure required for the new unit. City Manager Shane Reeside clarified that the vote pertained to the installation costs, encompassing both the contingency and the DTE Energy allowance.
Reeside highlighted that the new generator will replace the current backup unit, which has been in operation since the 1940s. The upgraded generator offers enhanced capacity, which will be essential during power outages. Reeside emphasized that this new generator will ensure the plant remains operational if there is a disruption in electricity supply.
Previously, the backup generator played a critical role during extended power outages, allowing the plant to continue supplying water to residents. Reeside reassured residents that the new generator would provide reliable support in such scenarios, stating, “If we lose the dual feed, we can rely on the backup generator.”
Concerns regarding the generator’s impact on noise, aesthetics, and environmental factors were addressed during the meeting. Councilman Lev Wood confirmed that over $30,000 of the project’s budget is designated for landscaping improvements around the generator site. This includes planting new vegetation and utilizing the existing hill to reduce visibility and noise.
Councilwoman Beth Konrad Wilberding added that the planned landscaping would further help mitigate noise. Reeside noted that the generator’s design includes noise reduction features, such as encapsulation, to minimize disturbance.
The new generator is expected to arrive in October, marking a significant step forward in the city’s efforts to enhance its water treatment infrastructure.
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