Port Wentworth pays $1.8 million a year for public works. Here's why the provider is suspended

The City of Port Wentworth has temporarily suspended their public works contractor, ClearWater Solutions, after a breach of contract, according to city manager Steve Davis.

ClearWater manages multiple public works and water services within the city including the wastewater treatment plant, water meter reading, road maintenance, grass cutting, sanitation, and ditch and culvert maintenance.

“In just about every aspect, their performance was less than what was expected,” said Davis.

In the four years the city has contracted with Clearwater, bouts of issues have arisen. The suspension letter lists a total of 14 breaches of contract, including 16 violations related to spills or effluent discharges; failure to trim trees, cut grass, repair water infrastructure; and mishandling of equipment. The letter also mentions ClearWater employees using city vehicles for personal use and that an employee was "arrested in a city vehicle for selling illegal drugs."

The suspension was the result of a build-up of those problems, said Davis.

Story continues below:

CWS Breach of Contract by savannahnow.com

Related: Clearwater Breach of Contract Addendum

Issued on Oct. 6, the suspension will last 30 days. During that time, ClearWater is expected to craft a detailed action plan that meets the needs of the city, or else their current three-year contract will be terminated. The city currently pays Clearwater about $1.8 million a year for its services.

ClearWater representative Rick Heartsill said they've met with city officials and will continue to discuss how to maintain their relationship with Port Wentworth.

"Sometimes things that are raised are factual and sometimes there needs to be additional clarification," he said.

Heartsill said they had a very "open and candid conversation" on how to meet the needs of the city, whether it's increasing staff numbers or making sure they have sufficient equipment to complete their tasks.

In the meantime, the city’s own public works department and existing vendors are handling public works operations. Port Wentworth currently contracts with the Effingham County jail and is using inmate labor for grass-cutting and ditch-cleaning services. The city did bring in one new vendor, EOM from Richmond Hill, to manage the wastewater treatment plant.

Before: Sewage spills, water issues plague Port Wentworth residents

Troubles with ClearWater mount

Last year, Port Wentworth’s city council deliberated whether to continue their contract with Clearwater after numerous sewage spills resulted in a Notice of Violation from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). A total of seven sewage spills occurred within a span of five months, three of which were major spills of over 10,000 gallons.

As penalty, the city paid a $2,500 fine and entered into a corrective action plan to prevent future spills.

Port Wentworth: To address seven sewage spills in the past five months

Update: Port Wentworth continues to address sewage spill issue, will pay $2,500 fine

However, in May, about 335,000 gallons of sewage overflowed into the stormwater ditch at the intersection of O’Leary Road and Raley Road. The ditch enters Little Hearst Creek which flows into Black Creek. Vacuum trucks mitigated 90,000 gallons of sewage and the valve break has been repaired.

Residents have frequently voiced their complaints about Clearwater’s performance issues at council meetings. Most common issues include blocked ditches and witnessing workers mishandling equipment.

In an Aug. 25 council meeting, Clearwater representatives said they’ve struggled with equipment issues. Especially in terms of mowing, the equipment has spent more time in the shop than on the road, a spokesperson said.

Clearwater employs about 11 full-time staff and stated they will most likely need to staff up. The suspension letter details that the company should have 13 total employees.

During the August council meeting, District 1 council member Gabby Nelson acknowledged that ClearWater “isn’t responsible for the past 30 years of complaints, so I won’t hold it 100% against ClearWater,” but that the company still needs to show more accountability.

Davis echoed the sentiment.

“I think this is a pervasive issue and I believe ClearWater can do better, but we also need to provide them with the equipment,” said Davis.

Nancy Guan is the general assignment reporter covering Chatham County municipalities. Reach her at nguan@gannett.com or on Twitter @nancyguann.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Port Wentworth suspends public works contractor ClearWater Solutions