SR-505-007
EPWM:CY:CY:f:adm\staffrpts\ArcadiaTHM
Council Meeting: November 28, 2000 Santa Monica, CA
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute
a Professional Services Contract with CH2M HILL for the Preparation of a
Study of Disinfection and Softening Treatment Processes for the Arcadia
Water Treatment Plant to Meet New National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System Standards
Introduction
This report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate
and execute a professional services contract with CH2M HILL in an amount not to
exceed $49,241 for the preparation of a feasibility study on the disinfection and
softening treatment processes at the Arcadia Water Treatment Plant and approve
$7,300 in contingency funds for the contract.
Background
The City operates the Arcadia Water Treatment Plant (Arcadia WTP), located on City-
owned land at Wilshire Boulevard and Bundy Drive in West Los Angeles. The Arcadia
WTP uses state-of-the-art softening, filtration, aeration and chlorination systems to treat
water supplied from MTBE-free groundwater wells and blends it with water purchased
from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California prior to delivery to the
distribution system.
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The City currently discharges waste from the Arcadia WTP into Ballona Creek under
waste discharge requirements contained in a new National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) Permit, adopted by the Regional Water Quality Control
Board in June 2000. The new interim and final waste discharge limits contain lower
limits for trihalomethanes (THMs), trichloroethylene (TCE), and other volatile organic
chemicals (VOCs), as well as physical and inorganic constituents. The City needs to
study the alternatives available for meeting these new limits.
The feasibility study will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the Arcadia WTP?s
disinfection and softening treatment processes, and discharge limit. The study will also
recommend treatment changes, discharge options and/or upgrades that will allow the
plant to meet the new interim and final waste discharge limits set by NPDES.
Discussion
In August 2000, a Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued to five qualified consulting
firms for the feasibility study on the Arcadia WTP?s disinfection and softening treatment
processes. On September 7, 2000, proposals were received from Black & Veatch,
CH2M HILL, and Kennedy/Jenks Consultants. A selection committee consisting of the
Utilities Manager, the Utilities Engineer, the Water Production Superintendent and
Principal Water Chemist was formed to evaluate the proposals.
The selection criteria requirements included the firm?s understanding of the project?s
scope; direct experience on previous similar projects and approach to work; technical
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competence and qualifications of the proposed staff; the ability to meet the desired time
frames; cost of services; and innovative design alternatives.
Staff recommends CH2M HILL to perform the required engineering services for the
feasibility study. CH2M Hill has extensive experience with similar water treatment
facilities and improvements, involving water quality evaluation, planning, design and
construction, and extensive experience working with State and local agencies, including
the City of Santa Monica.
Budget/Financial Impact
Funds required for the feasibility study on disinfection and softening treatment process
are as follows:
Contract?????..???????????$49,241
Contingency??????????????.. $ 7,300
TOTAL FUNDS REQUIRED FOR DESIGN. . .$56,541
Funds are available in Account No. C25085199.589000
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Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a professional
services contract with CH2M HILL, in an amount not to exceed $49,241
and approve $7,300 in contingency funds for the contract; and
2. Authorize the Utilities Manager to issue any necessary modifications to the
contract to complete additional work within budget authority and in
accordance with Administrative Instructions.
Prepared by: Craig Perkins, Director of Environmental and Public Works
Gil Borboa, Utilities Manager
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