Adopt Resolution #21-143 Approving Water Treatment Plant Feasibility Study

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to adopt Resolution #21-143 approving the final Feasibility Study dated March 4, 2021, for the municipal water treatment plant.  

Background:
Attached is a copy of the final Feasibility Study dated March 4, 2021 for the proposed municipal water treatment plant as prepared by SEH, Inc. This study documents the City’s existing water supply source, quality and quantity, existing water supply infrastructure, proposed water treatment process options and recommendations, water treatment plant site evaluations and recommendations, estimated costs, alternative funding sources, impacts to water rates, and a proposed project schedule.
 
At the February 8, 2021, City Council work session, Staff presented the following findings and recommendations in the draft Feasibility Study, which at the time was generally considered to be complete.

• The Tunnel City Wonewoc aquifer will be able to continue to produce potable water to meet present and foreseeable future demands.
• The most cost-effective method for removing manganese and iron from the City’s drinking water is chemical oxidation followed by sand filtration. These processes require construction of a water treatment plant.
• Based upon an analysis of Ramsey’s 2040 water demand, the initial capacity of the water treatment plant should be 10 million gallons per day (MGD), with the ability to expand to 20 MGD.
• Four water treatment plant (WTP) sites were evaluated and the Public Works site is recommended since it requires the least overall construction costs and offers the greatest operational efficiencies. It was noted that in January the City of Ramsey’s Planning Commission, Economic Development Authority, and Public Works Committee all voted unanimously to recommend constructing the WTP on the Public Works site.
• Two treatment process alternatives were evaluated including gravity filtration and pressure filtration. Gravity filtration is recommended.

It was also discussed that while the City has continued to supply its municipal water users with safe potable water without interruption by running the three municipal wells with the lowest manganese concentrations (wells #5, #6 and #7) generally non-stop since April of 2019, some of the existing water system infrastructure is showing signs of wear due to the continual operation of moving parts including meters, motors and pumps. For instance, in the fall of 2020, well #7 had to be repaired putting it out of service for almost a month, and early last winter the same repairs were needed to well #6 requiring it to be shut down for a month. Then last winter the water meter at well #6 was replaced, and the meter for well #7 has had ongoing issues. Also, a cooling unit failed recently in the service cabinet for well #6, which can cause the well to overheat and shut down. The constant use of these wells is believed to be a major contributing factor to these required repairs.
 
Fortunately, none of the repairs noted above were needed during peak water use times in the summer when people water their lawns, fill their swimming pools, wash their cars, etc. If one of the wells would need to be repaired during the summer months the City would need to rely on one or more other wells with higher manganese concentrations for water supply, which would increase manganese concentrations throughout the system. Staff therefore recommends moving forward with implementation of the water treatment plant project as soon as possible.

Per prior Council authorization, SEH Inc. is preparing final plans and specifications for the trunk watermain improvements required to supply raw water from the six municipal wells in The COR to the proposed Water Treatment Plant site near the new Pubic Works Facility, and to supply treated water from the WTP to the water supply distribution system. This work is proposed to be bid this summer for late summer/early fall construction.
 
It is important to note that a separate case is on this evening’s consent agenda requesting City Council approval of a Request for Proposals (RFP) and authorization to solicit proposals from qualified consultants to prepare final plans and specifications for the WTP based on the findings and recommendations in the attached final Feasibility Study, to administer bids, and to provide construction administration services, pending required future City Council approvals. Therefore, if this case is tabled or is not approved this evening, the consent agenda case requesting approval of the RFP and authorization to solicit proposals for the municipal WTP should also be tabled or not approved at this time since the RFP relies on approval of the final Feasibility Study first.

Hard copies of the final Feasibility Study will be placed in each Council member's in box at City Hall. 

Notifications are not required for this case. 

Alternatives:
Alternative #1 – Motion to adopt Resolution #21-143 approving the final Feasibility Study dated March 4, 2021, for the municipal water treatment plant.  

No additional funds are required for approval of this case.  

Staff recommends alternative #1. 

Motion to adopt Resolution #21-143 approving the final Feasibility Study dated March 4, 2021, for the municipal water treatment plant.