What: Phase I of the wastewater treatment plant upgrade, contracted to Loureiro Building Construction (about $11.69M, contingent on bonds), with Wright-Pierce as construction administrator ($1.361M).
Where it stands: Board of Public Works approved the Loureiro contract on September 24, the Finance Committee on October 7, and the Aldermen on October 13 (one opposed).
Next: Bond issuance and construction start.
Details
A Hazen and Sawyer biosolids feasibility contract was approved by the Finance Committee on September 2.
Recommended final passage of R-26-059 ($3M) by voice vote. An alderman objected to bonding small amounts; plant staff said the repairs address a facility dating to the early 1960s and the replaced components should last about 20 years.
Hearing on R-26-059 ($3,000,000): tank repair, chlorine storage resizing, septage receiving changes and meter replacement for permit compliance, paid from the wastewater enterprise fund. A commissioner spoke in favor; residents asked for more backup. No vote.
Approved three Hazen and Sawyer studies: toxicity identification and reduction evaluation (up to $108,871.66) after whole effluent toxicity test failures under the new EPA permit, local limits evaluation (up to $145,778.31, last done in 1992), and capacity analysis (up to $270,626.25) amid rising ammonia.
Approved the Loureiro Building Construction Phase I wastewater plant upgrade (about $11.69M, contingent on bonds; one opposed) and Wright-Pierce construction administration ($1.361M).
The wastewater superintendent described Phase I of the 20-year facility plan: renovating equipment installed in the late 1980s, including crack repair on the one-million-gallon chlorine contact tank and primary clarifier, larger chlorine bulk storage, septage receiving, replacement of large process gates, valves and flow meters, and stormwater drainage changes. Cost drivers are equipment two to three stories below ground and temporary bypass pumping of up to 50 million gallons a day with 24-hour monitoring. Loureiro Building Construction was the low bidder at about $11.69 million, contingent on additional bond approval. It does not change plant capacity; capacity studies are coming.
A separate Wright-Pierce construction administration contract (up to $1,361,000, bond pending) was also approved. Both passed by voice vote with no opposition.