Commission approval for entering into an annual contract with In-Pipes Technology for 12-month bioaugmentation services for the amount of $272,340.00 through TIPS Contract: (Vendor No. 11696 - Contract 250503) See Exhibit A for detailed description of proposal.

Since 2013, the City has utilized this specific product as a cornerstone of its strategy to meet the requirements of the Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) Initiative, a voluntary compliance program established by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). This ongoing city-wide effort is designed to proactively reduce unauthorized discharges and protect the surrounding environment.
The process involves the strategic application of chemical treatments at multiple key locations within the sanitary sewer infrastructure. These treatments offer several critical operational benefits:

• Solids Breakdown: The chemicals initiate the early decomposition of organic matter while in transit, helping to prevent the buildup of solids that often lead to pipe blockages and subsequent overflows.
• Odor Neutralization: By targeting and oxidizing odorous compounds—such as hydrogen sulfide (H?S)—at their source, the treatments effectively de-odorize sanitary waste before it can become an airborne nuisance in the community.
• Transit Stabilization: Treating the waste during its lengthy journey ensures it remains stable and manageable, improving overall efficiency when it ultimately reaches the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).

Through over a decade of consistent implementation, this proactive approach has allowed the City to maintain regulatory standing and improve the long-term health of its collection system.

It is the recommendation of the Utilities Department to approve the contract with In-Pipe for Bioaugmentation Services for 12 months.