Tuesday, AUGUST 19, 2025 |
Photo – Medicine Bow Town Council – Bigfoot99 file photo
Medicine Bow officials continue searching for solutions for the town’s inoperable sewer pump truck.
At the May 12th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Brian Lashley announced that the town’s pump truck, used to clear sewer lines and meter pits, broke down once again. Lashley said the truck was taken to a Casper mechanic who diagnosed the problem as a malfunctioning transfer case. The Public Works Director said the mechanic quoted $38,400 to perform the necessary repairs.
Lashley said he contacted Aquatech, the pump truck’s manufacturer, and located the same transfer case for $22,000. The Public Works Director said if the Council chooses not to repair the truck, the town will need to hire an outside contractor to clear sewer lines at an estimated cost of $700 per visit.
The governing body voted not to repair the disabled pump truck. Instead, Lashley was instructed to find a less expensive alternative.
The matter was discussed again during the August 11th Medicine Bow Town Council meeting. Mayor Justin George explained that the transfer case is poorly designed, causing the truck to potentially move on its own while the pump is operating.
Public Works Director Lashley reported that he looked into buying a preowned pump truck, but even inoperable models cost more than $60,000. Lashley offered to attempt to sell the town’s pump truck for a similar price, pending the governing body’s approval.
After an extensive search, Lashley said he found a potential replacement pump truck in Fontana, California, outside of Los Angeles. The truck is priced at $120,000, with delivery estimated to cost an additional $3,500 to $4,000.
Lashley said in fully operational condition, with a working transfer case, the town’s sewer pump truck is worth between $60,000 and $70,000. However, the town would need to spend approximately $30,000 on the new transfer case.
Mayor George asked Lashley if the pumping unit could be removed and installed on a different truck body without replacing the transfer case. The Public Works Director explained that the part is integrated into the pump and would still need to be fixed. Lashley added that newer models of the same pump include sensors that detect when the truck is in gear and automatically disable the apparatus.
Responding to a question from the Council, Lashley said he uses the pump truck approximately six times a year, mostly to clear the grease traps at the Virginian Hotel. The Public Works Director said if the truck is repaired, the manager of the historic hotel has agreed to sign a long-term contract with the town to clear the traps quarterly, at a rate of $800 per visit.
Councilman Trevor Strauch recommended putting the pump truck up for sale, with the proceeds going toward the purchase of a new truck.
Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer agreed that the town should not spend $30,000 on a replacement transfer case, given the likelihood of another failure in the near future.
Public Works Director Brian Lashley said he reached out to Super Products, manufacturers of the Camel brand of sewer pump systems, but has yet to receive a response.
The Town Council agreed not to pay to fix the pump truck and instead have the inoperable vehicle towed back from Casper. Next, the governing body voted to table a decision on its future until Lashley hears back from Super Products.
