Council is asked to consider awarding a professional engineering services contract to HDR Engineering for W.O. 19-11, WRF Nutrient Recovery and Biosolids Facilities Plan in the amount of $195,000.00.  Under this contract, HDR will review and update the solids handling, nutrient recovery and biogas recovery practices at the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) that were previously analyzed in preparing the 2013 Wastewater Facilities Plan and in designing the 2014 WRF Nutrient Upgrade, Expansion and Improvements Project.

Significant technological and process advancements have been made in the last several years to aid in the recovery of phosphorous, increase the level of biogas production, improve the dewaterability of biosolids, and provide carbon sources for better nitrogen removal.  Under this contract with HDR, the City plans to evaluate if these and other benefits can be realized at the WRF.

HDR will evaluate the following and summarize all analyses, evaluations, potential alternatives and recommendations in a report that will include a recommended future project schedule and cost estimates:

• primary clarification and solids handling (including gravity thickening and dewatering issues),
• phosphorous recovery alternatives (including biogas optimization, modeling of liquid and solid stream impacts),
• developing an onsite carbon source to aid in nitrogen removal,
• arsenic, selenium and hydrogen sulfide removal options, and
• potential to reuse/repurpose existing infrastructure.

HDR was selected for this project based on City staff review of project proposals submitted by prequalified firms. Jacobs Engineering Group was the other firm considered for the project.

City Council may:

• Approve the W.O. 19-11 professional engineering services contract with HDR Engineering, or;
• Disapprove the professional engineering services contract.  If this project is not completed, the City will forego a current opportunity to enhance the functionality of WRF treatment processes that may include recovering valuable natural resources, optimizing current processes, and improving the quality of treated water released to the Yellowstone River.

W.O. 19-11, WRF Nutrient Recovery and Biosolids Facilities Plan is in the amount of $195,000.00, and funding for this project has been approved by City Council in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and the budget for the Public Works Department.  The project will use wastewater funds.
 

	WRF Nutrient Recovery and Biosolids Facilities Plan
Project Budget	$3,050,000
Previously Encumbered	$0.00
This Contract	$195,000
Budget Remaining	$2,855,000

Staff recommends that Council approve a professional engineering services contract with HDR Engineering in the amount of $195,000.00 for W.O. 19-11, WRF Nutrient Recovery and Biosolids Facilities Plan.