Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with HRGreen to provide professional engineering services for a 2026 Reverse Osmosis Project.

Adoption of the attached resolution.

As part of the 2025 Water Treatment Facility Plan, it was decided that a pilot project will be needed to identify if Mankato’s source water will have an adverse effect on the Reverse Osmosis modules. In the event Reverse Osmosis (RO) is decided to be the treatment technique implemented at Mankato’s Water Treatment Facility, the Minnesota Department of Health would require a pilot test. This pilot would satisfy both of those requirements. The duration of the pilot unit will be four months to pilot a total of three variations of an RO setup. 
 
The RO pilot will be run in three stages to identify the ideal setup for longevity of modules, cost-effectiveness of treatment, and optimal removal of impurities:

• Single stage — Direct to the RO unit
• Dual stage — Ultra filtration membrane filter, and RO
• Three stages — Pre-treatment, Ultra-Filter, and RO

Under the direction of HRGreen, facility staff will be utilized for daily oversight, sampling various stages of treatment, and contractor support throughout the duration of the pilot. 
 
At the conclusion of the pilot, a report will be added as an appendix to the Facility Plan outlining the feasibility of installing a full-scale RO system at the 730 Mound Ave Water Treatment Plant. 

The pilot project is funded as part of the 2026 Capital Improvement Budget.
 
Staff recommends the Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with HRGreen to provide engineering services for a 2026 Reverse Osmosis Pilot project for an amount not to exceed $48,000.