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Iced up aerators resulting from recent sub-zero weather have complicated operations at the Cedaredge wastewater treatment lagoons. Warmer weather is expected to provide some relief.Several days of sub-freezing weather linked with nights of sub-zero temperatures created problems for the Cedaredge public works department two weeks ago.

The aerators at the sewer lagoons froze up for several days.

Some of the cells themselves froze into solid sheets of ice threatening to crush the aerators.

Public Works Director Dave Smith told the town board that a possible emergency measure could include renting a crane to lift the aerators out of the freezing water to protect them.

Since the worst cold has passed, it is likely that certain "compliance issues" involving effluent discharge that Smith mentioned to the town trustees have lessened.

Smith describes the technical situation at the town sewer lagoons due to the unusual freezing cold as follows:

The Cedaredge lagoons are essentially a four cell biological system followed by chlorination for final disinfection. The last two cells usually get an ice cover each winter.

This year the ice has built back to where the aeration occurs. This is due to a combination of the sustained cold and the fact that the workers have removed several thousand gallons per day of groundwater infiltration through collection system improvements.

Removal of inflow and infiltration is encouraged by the state health department as it allows for longer retention times. This results in better treatment, but it also gives more time for the water to cool.

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