The Dalles City Council discussed alternatives for planned upgrades to the municipal wastewater treatment plant at a Monday worksession. After hearing about a number of different alternatives from project consultants Kennedy/Jenks and Mortensen Construction, Councilors were leaning toward what was presented as a preferred alternative, which was not the lowest cost plan but would offer the potential to generate electricity needed to operate the plant. The estimated full project cost was over 15 million dollars, but Mayor Steve Lawrence noted it could be the most cost efficient. City Public Works Director Dave Anderson told the Council with increases in the municipal wastewater revenues thanks to an increase in users, there is enough money to pay for the first phase of the project without going out for a bond, noting the possibility energy generation portions of the project could receive funding from outside sources. The Council will decide whether to move to the 80 percent design phase of the project at meeting in late September or October.