TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Ted Semaan, Interim Public Works Director
Jeff Page, Utilities Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of a Resolution Approving Amendment No. 2 to the General Services Agreement with Badger Meter, Inc. to Provide and Install SmartCovers for Seven Sewer Manholes and Provide Monitoring Services to Prevent Potential Sewer System Overflows at a Cost Not-to-Exceed $195,000. (Budgeted) (Interim Public Works Director Semaan)
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-0121
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 25-0121 approving Amendment No. 2 to the agreement with Badger Meter, Inc. to provide and install SmartCovers for seven sewer manholes and provide monitoring services to prevent potential sewer system overflows at a cost not-to-exceed $195,000.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The initial contract with Hadronex, Inc. was approved on October 17, 2024, under the City Manager’s awarding authority in accordance with the City’s purchasing policy. The current contract term extends through December 31, 2025.
Amendment No. 2 will increase the contract amount by $120,100, for a new total not-to-exceed $195,000 and extend the term through November 30, 2026.
A total of $63,000 has been appropriated from the Sewer Fund in the adopted Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Budget. Future years will be budgeted accordingly.
BACKGROUND:
The City’s sanitary sewer system consists of approximately 83 miles of pipeline and 2,200 manholes. Like most collection systems, it is vulnerable to blockages from tree roots, sediment buildup, and fats, oils, and grease (FOG). When not detected early, these blockages can lead to sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) that may impact private property or enter nearby waterways, resulting in environmental damage and costly cleanup.
In 2019, the City began deploying SmartCover monitoring units at key locations to provide continuous, real-time data on sewer levels and flow conditions. SmartCovers are installed beneath manhole covers and use ultrasonic sensors and wireless telemetry to alert staff to unusual flow conditions before they develop into system failures. This technology directly supports the City’s Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) and its goals of proactive maintenance, SSO prevention, and regulatory compliance under the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) Permit as required by the federal Clean Water Act.
Since installation began, the SmartCover program has become a vital tool in managing sewer system performance. The City currently operates 20 SmartCovers throughout its collection system, which have helped prevent more than 50 potential SSOs by providing early warnings that allowed staff to respond before overflows occurred.
DISCUSSION:
Building on the proven success of the existing monitoring network, staff has identified seven additional high-priority locations where SmartCovers would provide valuable early detection of blockages or flow restrictions. These new units will extend real-time monitoring coverage to additional segments of the sewer system identified through historical maintenance data and risk assessment.
Each SmartCover unit continuously measures sewer flow levels and transmits alerts through a secure web-based platform accessible to Public Works staff. When elevated levels are detected, crews can investigate and clear blockages before an overflow occurs, improving response times and minimizing environmental and property damage risks.
SmartCover technology is widely used by neighboring agencies, including the cities of El Segundo, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and Torrance, to enhance their sewer monitoring and maintenance programs. This regional adoption reflects SmartCover’s reliability and effectiveness in preventing SSOs and improving system performance.
The addition of seven new SmartCovers will further enhance the City’s capacity to maintain compliance with State and federal wastewater regulations, reduce the likelihood of SSOs, and strengthen the overall reliability of the City’s sewer collection system through data-driven preventive maintenance.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
After analysis, staff determined that public outreach was not required for this issue.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has approved the agreement as to form.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 25-0121
2. Amendment No. 2- Hadronex, Inc.
3. Agreement and Amendment No. 1 - Badger Meter, Inc.