City officials have started the process of updating Richmond’s nearly 50-year-old water treatment plant, authorizing Kansas City engineering firm Olsson to advertise a $1.4 million improvement plan. With Richmond City Council’s unanimous approval, Olsson will advertise for 28 days, so the council can bid openly for the water treatment plant improvement. Brooke Hudlemeyer of Olsson presented before the board what services Olsson would provide and estimated the project at $1,418,000. If a bid is approved later on, Olsson would immediately begin work in October, said Hudlemeyer. The plan includes removal and reinstallation of existing solids contact basins, coating, new equipment, and control panels; removal and installation of 20 new valves; removal and installation of new filter media; and removal and reinstalling lime silos after recoating and electrical improvements, said Richmond City Administrator Tonya Willim. There will be an alternate bid for stainless steel basins -…