Snow Update, Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Review, and Waste Digester Feasibility Study
Updated 10/30/23:
On October 24th, the Environmental Quality & Public Works heard presentations from Streets & Roads, Water Quality, and Waste Management.
Snow Plan Update
Streets & Roads presented their updated snow plan for this winter, which reviews the cost and operations of clearing and salting the roadways after a winter weather event.
Currently there are 16 job vacancies, leaving the Division short-staffed ahead of the winter season. Rob Allen, Director of Streets & Roads, also expressed a need for an upgrade to the Old Frankfort Pike salt storage barn, which has been condemned and is operating at a reduced storage capacity.
Councilmembers asked about how often roads are evaluated for priority service. Director Allen explained the road ranking system in the presentation and clarified that the rankings are reevaluated frequently based on changing traffic patterns and new developments.
No action was taken on this item.
MS4 Annual Update
Water Quality gave Councilmembers an annual update on the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). The MS4 program intends to improve natural water quality in Lexington by reducing the amount of pollutants that stormwater picks up and carries into watersheds.
No action was taken on this item.
Waste Digester System Feasibility Study Results
Waste Management also presented the findings of its Waste Digester System Feasibility Study. A Waste Digester System would collect and process organic waste into compost that could be sold to customers. This would reduce the amount of garbage that ends up in landfills in a sustainable way. You can read about the study here.
This item was of particular interest to Councilmembers as many of them had accompanied Commissioner Albright on a trip to Sevierville, Tennessee to visit their waste digester facility.
Though the study only recommended consideration of the Source Separated Organics (SSO) Aerated Static Pile (ASP) - which would digest less waste than other options but would be much cheaper to construct - Councilmembers were interested in further discussing the feasibility of higher-impact options.
Committee Chair Councilmember Liz Sheehan will form a subcommittee on this item to consider additional opportunities for funding and implementing a waste digester system in Lexington.
Snow Plan Update
Streets & Roads will be presenting their updated snow plan for this winter, which reviews the cost and operations of clearing and salting the roadways after a winter weather event.
MS4 Annual Update
Water Quality will give Councilmembers their annual update on the
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS$). The MS4 program intends to improve natural water quality in Lexington by reducing the amount of pollutants that stormwater picks up and carries into watersheds. Their presentation will cover the improvements and challenges that the program has had this year.
Waste Digester System Feasibility Study Results
Waste Management will present the findings of its Waste Digester System Feasibility Study. A Waste Digester System would collect and process organic waste into compost that could be sold to customers. This would reduce the amount of garbage that ends up in landfills in a sustainable way.
Three types of Waste Digester Systems were included in the study, and if LFUCG decides to move forward with one, a Source Separated Organics - Aerated Static Pile (SSO ASP) system is recommended.
Once fully operational, one SSO ASP system would divert 100 tons of food and yard waste from landfills per day.
Other systems can divert as much as 500 tons of waste per day from lanfills, but they have significantly higher construction and maintenance costs.
To process all organic waste in Fayette County, the City would need to build three of Waste Digester Systems.
Phase 1 of the project will build one system that would only process waste produced by LFUCG.
Once three systems are built, the City would begin processing all eligible waste in Fayette County from LFUCG, businesses, and residents.
The ultimate cost of building a SSO ASP system large enough to handle all of Fayette County would be around $35 million, with an annual operating cost of $1.5 million.
You can view all three presentations here. The Environmental Quality & Public Works Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 24th at 1pm in Council Chambers. You can attend this hearing in person or watch live on LexTV.
