The Highland Community School District has hired a firm to prepare preliminary plans for a new wastewater system.

At the recent school board meeting, Chad McCleary from ION Environmental Solutions presented quotes he received to put together facility plans for the new wastewater system. There were two quotes submitted, one for $11,600 and another for $30,000. McCleary emphasized that this quote is just for the facility plan, not the entire project. The low bid came from HR Green from Cedar Rapids.

McCleary said he looked into why their quote came in much lower, “I spoke with some other colleagues in the industry and with another engineer in the industry, the consensus is kind of with HR Green’s quote that they’re probably going to make up the money on the back end. If [the board] would just prefer to go for the cheaper quote, that’s certainly up to you. I would say, at least be aware they’re probably going to make some of that money up on the backside of the project.”

McCleary went on to say this is a common strategy within the industry to win the project. Highland is looking at building a new wastewater treatment plant to line up with DNR regulations. There are two options. One includes a mechanical plant to treat the wastewater for the secondary schools. Option two is a leach field which would require less maintenance and does not need to be regularly inspected by the DNR, unlike a mechanical plant. McCleary informed the board that the leach field would take up more space, thus making building a new elementary school much tougher, if they decide to add a building down the road.

The board decided to accept the low quote from HR Green to put together the facility plan and will continue to discuss the pros and cons between a mechanical plant and leach field.