8.H.
City Council Meeting - FINAL
- Meeting Date:
- 11/07/2017
- Co-Submitter:
- Brad Hill
- From:
- Ryan Roberts, Water Services Engineering Manager
Information
TITLE:
Consideration and Approval of Professional Services Contract: Wastewater Biosolids Master Plan.
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve the Professional Services Contract with Carollo Engineers for the Wastewater Biosolids Master Plan (BMP) in the amount of $625,000. This will allow the City to plan for the future treatment, and disposal of wastewater Biosolids from the Wildcat Hill Water Reclamation Plant.
Executive Summary:
City of Flagstaff is conducting a Biosolids Master Plan (BMP), to provide a roadmap and framework for sustainable and cost-effective biosolids management. Both of the treatment plants are nearing operational capacity limits on biosolids within the next twenty years, and therefore an immediate need is required for master planning and design of upgrades of the facilities. The BMP Report will evaluate existing City of Flagstaff solids handling facilities, study solids treatment alternatives, and recommend future capital facilities improvements. The BMP Report will address Biosolids produced at the Rio De Flag Water reclamation Plant (RDFWRP) and the Wildcat Hill Water Reclamation Plant (WHWRP) and provide a recommended Biosolids Management Plan.
Financial Impact:
The project is budgeted in FY2018 in account 203-08-375-3208-0-4421 in the amount of $400,000. The remaining $225,000 will be allocated under account 203-08-311-1110-0-4435 (Wildcat Gas conveyance line).
Policy Impact:
No Impact.
Connection to Council Goal, Regional Plan and/or Team Flagstaff Strategic Plan:
Council Goals:
1) Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics.
2) Continue to implement the Flagstaff Regional plan and focus efforts on specific plans.
Regional Plan
The Biosolids Master Plan is an extensive plan that will look to the future needs of the City of Flagstaff in terms of growth, needs of the wastewater utility, the surrounding area, and the community. This will incorporate the current state and federal regulations and well as the future growth needs of the City. We will have community involvement regarding this Master Plan and meetings will be set up for public participation.
1) Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics.
2) Continue to implement the Flagstaff Regional plan and focus efforts on specific plans.
Regional Plan
The Biosolids Master Plan is an extensive plan that will look to the future needs of the City of Flagstaff in terms of growth, needs of the wastewater utility, the surrounding area, and the community. This will incorporate the current state and federal regulations and well as the future growth needs of the City. We will have community involvement regarding this Master Plan and meetings will be set up for public participation.
Has There Been Previous Council Decision on This:
There has been no previous Council decision on this item.
Options and Alternatives:
- Approve the award as recommended.
- Reject bids and re-advertise the project.
Background and History:
The City's Wastewater Treatment Plants treat sewage solids by high temperature anaerobic digestion to destroy unwanted bacteria and dewaters it using centrifuges, drum thickeners and temporary geotube bags to produce biosolids. Biosolids may be described as a nutrient-rich material that results from the biological treatment of municipal wastewater. Biosolids are rich in plant nutrients and organic matter, and can help build healthy, productive soils, and increase vegetation growth when applied to land. Biosolids can be used as a key ingredient in the fabrication of high quality soil products.
In 2013 significant concerns with the existing solids handling system at the Wildcat Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) caused the city to implement a temporary biosolids dewatering project. This was recognized and understood to be a temporary solution to the larger biosolids capacity problem. Both of the treatment plants are nearing operational capacity limits on biosolids within the next twenty years, and therefore an immediate need is required for master planning and design of permanent upgrades of the facilities.
The City of Flagstaff is commencing with a project called the Biosolids Master Plan (BMP). The purpose of the project is to develop a BMP that provides;
(1) A roadmap and framework that defines long-term Biosolids management, treatment, and disposal needs to the year 2050 and Build-out scenarios.
(2) Assess wastewater process facilities, determine current and future liquid and solids capacity needs, discusses future regulatory requirements, and map a strategy for process alternatives and appropriate solids-related recycle stream management.
(3) Develop recommended short and long-term improvements and a CIP timeline for implementing the recommended improvements.
(4) Evaluate sustainable and cost effective Biosolids management options comprising of facility improvements that align with the appropriate Biosolids product(s), market(s), and level of treatment.
A general overview of the project objectives are that the BMP will address Biosolids produced at the Rio De Flag Water Reclamation Plant (RDFWRP) and the Wildcat Hill Water Reclamation Plant (WHWRP). Central to the Biosolids master plan project would be: a capacity and technology assessment for both of the City's wastewater treatment plants. The BMP will provide sufficient detail to allow City decision-makers to load the CIP with Near Term (5 Years), Mid-Term (5-10 Years), and long-term (Buildout) components of the plan. In addition, the BMP will outline a detailed approach for near and long-term Biosolids management (utilization) alternatives and discuss potential "green" or sustainable" projects. The BMP will include a Biosolids market survey to determine potential end-use alternatives and will anticipate and provide for flexibility, to accommodate changes in regulations and/or City priorities in the management of Biosolids. The ensuing Biosolids Master Plan and recommendations would offer more specificity on costs.
The Biosolids Master Plan is an important tool to assist the City plan for future capital expenditures that will help the City meet regulatory requirements and strategic goals while maximizing benefits and minimizing costs. Additionally, the Master Plan includes efforts to (1) analyze and evaluate new solids handling technology and processes prior to full implementation and (2) identify funding strategies necessary to implement capital plan or savings from initial project phases to fund subsequent phases to minimize the City’s out-of-pocket costs for capital expenditures.
On January 31, 2017 Purchasing posted a Request for Statement of Qualifications solicitation for professional services on both the City website and PlanetBids website. The solicitation was also advertised in the AZ Daily Sun on February 5th and 12th. On February 22nd, the City received four Statement of Qualifications (SOQs) that Purchasing deemed to be responsive and responsible. The SOQs were then evaluated by a five-person selection committee consisting of four City staff member and one outside engineering consultant. The evaluation committee interviewed the top three candidates and determined Carollo Engineers to be the most qualified service provider. The Carollo Engineers team demonstrated an innovative and collaborative approach to the BMP that provided the best value to the City.
In 2013 significant concerns with the existing solids handling system at the Wildcat Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) caused the city to implement a temporary biosolids dewatering project. This was recognized and understood to be a temporary solution to the larger biosolids capacity problem. Both of the treatment plants are nearing operational capacity limits on biosolids within the next twenty years, and therefore an immediate need is required for master planning and design of permanent upgrades of the facilities.
The City of Flagstaff is commencing with a project called the Biosolids Master Plan (BMP). The purpose of the project is to develop a BMP that provides;
(1) A roadmap and framework that defines long-term Biosolids management, treatment, and disposal needs to the year 2050 and Build-out scenarios.
(2) Assess wastewater process facilities, determine current and future liquid and solids capacity needs, discusses future regulatory requirements, and map a strategy for process alternatives and appropriate solids-related recycle stream management.
(3) Develop recommended short and long-term improvements and a CIP timeline for implementing the recommended improvements.
(4) Evaluate sustainable and cost effective Biosolids management options comprising of facility improvements that align with the appropriate Biosolids product(s), market(s), and level of treatment.
A general overview of the project objectives are that the BMP will address Biosolids produced at the Rio De Flag Water Reclamation Plant (RDFWRP) and the Wildcat Hill Water Reclamation Plant (WHWRP). Central to the Biosolids master plan project would be: a capacity and technology assessment for both of the City's wastewater treatment plants. The BMP will provide sufficient detail to allow City decision-makers to load the CIP with Near Term (5 Years), Mid-Term (5-10 Years), and long-term (Buildout) components of the plan. In addition, the BMP will outline a detailed approach for near and long-term Biosolids management (utilization) alternatives and discuss potential "green" or sustainable" projects. The BMP will include a Biosolids market survey to determine potential end-use alternatives and will anticipate and provide for flexibility, to accommodate changes in regulations and/or City priorities in the management of Biosolids. The ensuing Biosolids Master Plan and recommendations would offer more specificity on costs.
The Biosolids Master Plan is an important tool to assist the City plan for future capital expenditures that will help the City meet regulatory requirements and strategic goals while maximizing benefits and minimizing costs. Additionally, the Master Plan includes efforts to (1) analyze and evaluate new solids handling technology and processes prior to full implementation and (2) identify funding strategies necessary to implement capital plan or savings from initial project phases to fund subsequent phases to minimize the City’s out-of-pocket costs for capital expenditures.
On January 31, 2017 Purchasing posted a Request for Statement of Qualifications solicitation for professional services on both the City website and PlanetBids website. The solicitation was also advertised in the AZ Daily Sun on February 5th and 12th. On February 22nd, the City received four Statement of Qualifications (SOQs) that Purchasing deemed to be responsive and responsible. The SOQs were then evaluated by a five-person selection committee consisting of four City staff member and one outside engineering consultant. The evaluation committee interviewed the top three candidates and determined Carollo Engineers to be the most qualified service provider. The Carollo Engineers team demonstrated an innovative and collaborative approach to the BMP that provided the best value to the City.
Key Considerations:
The existing wastewater treatment plants are approaching operational capacity limits on biosolids handling. This project is required for master planning and design of upgrades of the facilities in order to maintain our existing permit and regulatory compliance with regulations of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (State) and the EPA (Federal).
A temporary solids dewatering system project was approved and installed in 2014. This system will remain in place until a permanent solution can be implemented.
A temporary solids dewatering system project was approved and installed in 2014. This system will remain in place until a permanent solution can be implemented.
Community Involvement:
Future solids handling is a large environmental and operational cost consideration of the Wastewater utility. Initiating a Biosolids planning study at this time will allow the City Water Services division to properly analyze and plan for increased Biosolids handling due to increased growth and development, potentially reducing energy costs, and reflect any current regulatory changes. Reducing the wastewater treatment plants operational and energy costs affect the utilities bottom line which helps us maintain low rates for our customers.
Expanded Options and Alternatives:
This project will inform the public through Water Commission and public meetings to discuss, provide update on status and receive input on ideas, capital projects and future solids handling options.