TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Stephanie Katsouleas, Public Works Director
Shawn Igoe, Utilities Division Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Consider Adopting a Resolution Awarding a General Services Agreement to Reliable Water Solutions, LLC for $311,260 for Flushing and Disinfection Services of 110 Miles of the City’s Potable Water System (Public Works Director Katsouleas).
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 19-0114 APPROVING AN AGREEMENT
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 19-0114 awarding General Service Agreement with Reliable Water Solutions, LLC for $311,260 for flushing and disinfection of 110 miles of the City’s potable water system.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Sufficient funds are available in the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Public Works budget for Phase 1 for $155,630. The remaining contract balance of $155,630 will be included in the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 budget for Phase 2.
BACKGROUND:
In order to maintain residual chlorine disinfection in the water system, minimize discoloration, and implement measures to ensure that we meet California Regional Water Quality Control Board drinking water standards, the City of Manhattan Beach’s water distribution system is comprehensively flushed on a regular basis by a technique known as unidirectional flushing (UDF). UDF uses a combination system - system pressure and opening of fire hydrants to force potable water through pipe segments at high velocity. This increased velocity scours and cleans the pipe walls, flushes sediment from the mainline pipes and removes any stagnant water from the water distribution system. The flushing continues until the water within the pipe segment is clear, which can take 30 minutes or more to achieve. Notably, each pipe segment that undergoes UDF is isolated during the procedure by closing mainline valves.
Historically, water released through the hydrants during flushing was released to the storm drain system. However, in response to the sustained regulatory demand to conserve water and to avoid the adverse public perception that the City is wasting water during the flushing process, the City began using the UDF closed loop system in 2017 to capture nearly all of the water released from the flushing activities. That water is returned the system after it has undergone extensive filtering. It is estimated that 26 million gallons is lost during a typical flushing processing of the entire system, costing the city around $100,000 in water loss. With the new UDF technique, this financial loss is also significantly reduced.
Since 2016, the City’s flushing program has increased and stabilized chlorine residuals throughout the system, and residential complaints related to cloudy water have been nearly eliminated.
DISCUSSION:
The City received quotes from the only two companies in the United States who are authorized to use the proprietary-patented water system flushing equipment provided by NO-DES, Inc. Reliable Water Solutions, LLC was the lowest bid of the two.
The flushing process involves pumping water at high velocities from a closed loop within the water system through filtration vessels, and employs a color analyzer and chlorine injection/analyzer. The water is then reinjected into the same closed loop. Once the water color and disinfection levels reach optimal levels, the process is halted and the truck moves on to the next line segment. The process is repeated until all water mains in the designated treatment area have been flushed (about 55 miles per year, over two years). Benefits of utilizing the NO-DES System include:
• Scouring the insides of the water lines is more effective than conventional flushing techniques because velocity can be increased;
• Elimination cloudy water, pressure loss and residential complaints normally associated with conventional flushing;
• Improvements in water quality because more particulates are removed;
• Elimination of excessive water discharges associated with conventional flushing;
• Elimination of vehicular and pedestrian hazards associated with water flowing down the City’s streets; and
• Less water loss, which will also saves money.
Therefore, to ensure that our water distribution system is properly maintained while also complying with water quality regulations and meeting customer service expectations, staff recommends contracting with Reliable Water Solutions, LLC, to perform UDF for the City’s water mains over the next two years. Phase 1 will include the coastal areas, and Phase 2 will include neighborhoods both east and west of Sepulveda, where the most recent flushing occurred in 2017.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
Staff will post the water system flushing schedule on the City’s website in addition to sending out notifications. Traffic control measures will be exercised in the vicinity of the flushing equipment, and signage will be staged around the flushing equipment to inform the public of the nature of the work being completed.
ENVIROMENTAL REVIEW:
The City reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and determined that the project qualifies for a Class 1(b) categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301, Existing Facilities of the State CEQA Guidelines. No environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 19-0114
2. Agreement - Reliable Water Solutions LLC