(KAIR)--A nearly $119,000 project to remove an aging sulfuric acid tank at Atchison's water treatment plant received City Commission approval Monday evening, despite one Commissioner's concerns about the cost and whether additional bids should be considered.

Commissioners voted 4-1 to authorize a $118,749.26 contract with Kinetic Chemical, with total budget authority of $125,000 to cover potential change orders. Commissioner Mike Slattery cast the lone opposing vote.

Public Works and Utilities Director Clinton McNemee told commissioners the acid system has been out of use for approximately 20 years, but was never completely decommissioned. Over time, the remaining equipment has deteriorated, with corrosion affecting the tank, fittings and piping.

McNemee said the city wants to address the problem before the equipment fails and potentially causes a chemical spill.

"And before it completely fails and we have a spill on our hands, the idea was to demo it out, hire a company to come in and do a proper cleanup," McNemee said.

Approval followed discussion over the project's cost, with Slattery questioning whether the city should delay the work to allow additional contractors to examine the site and submit bids.

Slattery said he had previously spoken with companies in the Wichita area that handle similar industrial cleanup work and believed the city might be able to find a less expensive alternative.

"I'd like to, if we're not in a hurry to do it, I'd like to have those people have a chance to look at it," Slattery said. "For that amount of money, it's not all that much work. That's an awful lot of money to spend on a little bitty piece, I think."

Slattery also suggested contractors experienced in oilfield operations might be capable of handling the cleanup.

"If we could wait a while and get some more bids on it, it's worth our time," Slattery said.

McNemee acknowledged that the system has remained in place for decades, but emphasized that the work requires more than simply dismantling and removing an old tank.

He said the presence of sulfuric acid and the condition of the equipment require specialized handling, protective equipment and environmentally compliant disposal procedures.

"This is a delicate, dangerous — this isn't something that I would want my staff to go in there and start trying to clean up," McNemee said.

City officials also noted that the exact amount of acid remaining in the tank is unknown, although fumes continue to be present in the room.

The approved cleanup includes removal of the tank, piping, fittings and associated equipment, along with treatment of affected floors and walls. The contractor will also remove deteriorating floor coatings and concrete supports associated with the system.

McNemee said the work would eliminate a potential environmental concern and allow the room to be used for storage or future improvements.

The project was included in the city's 2026 capital improvement budget. 

Following discussion, commissioners approved moving forward with Kinetic Chemical, with Slattery opposed.