HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 10c - Granular Activated Carbon Adsorbtion System Services
DATE: February 5, 2019
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tom Tait, Public Works Services Director
By: Eddie Chan, P.E., Principal Civil Engineer
SUBJECT: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CALGON CARBON
CORPORATION FOR GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON ADSORPTION
SYSTEM SERVICES AT LIVE OAK WELL IN THE AMOUNT OF
$1,246,174
Recommendation: Approve
SUMMARY
The Public Works Services Department (“PWSD”) is responsible for the daily operation
of City wells and the water that is distributed to the community. Water quality samples
are taken regularly to ensure optimal water quality. Water quality samples taken at Live
Oak W ell indicate that it has been impacted by Trichloroethylene (“TCE”), a volatile
organic compound. TCE is a federal and state regulated contaminant with a Maximum
Contaminant Level (“MCL”) of 5 parts per billion. In October 2018, TCE concentrations
at Live Oak Well exceeded the allowable MCL. Consequently, the Live Oak Well was
taken out of service. The Fiscal Year 2018-19 Capital Improvement Plan includes funding
for the construction of a treatment system to treat TCE at the Live Oak Well.
To ensure the City is receiving the highest quality of service and most competitive pricing
for the construction of a treatment system at the Live Oak Well facility, the PWSD solicited
a formal request for proposals (“RFP”). Based on the evaluated proposals, it is
recommended that the City Council approve, and authorize and direct the City Manager
to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Calgon Carbon Corporation for the
construction of a Granular Activated Carbon Adsorption System for Live Oak Well in the
amount of $1,246,174.
Professional Services Agreement for GAC Adsorption System
February 5, 2019
Page 2 of 4
BACKGROUND
According to the State Water Resources Control Board, TCE is a manmade chemical
widely used in commercial, automotive, and manufacturing facilities as a solvent for
degreasing metal parts. TCE may leach into groundwater in dissolved or liquid forms,
sinking below the water table. It is one of the most frequently detected drinking water
contaminants in California. At this point, PWSD staff has no information on the potential
responsible parties that led to the TCE contamination in the groundwater basin. Based
on the State Water Resources Control Board’s data from 2007 to 2017, 186 public water
supply wells had at least one detection of TCE above the MCL. Most wells with detections
of TCE above the MCL occurred in three Counties: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and
Fresno.
The current MCL set forth by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the State
Water Resources Control Board is 5 parts per billion. Since 1991, water samples taken
at Live Oak Well have intermittently detected the presence of TCE. In recent years, water
sampling at Live Oak Well has shown an increase of TCE concentration levels. Since
October of 2018, the concentration has spiked up to higher than 10 parts per billion, twice
the allowable MCL, causing the Live Oak Well to be taken out of service. On June 19,
2018, the City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with ES Engineering
Services, LLC for engineering services to design a treatment system at Live Oak Well. In
an effort to keep costs to a minimum and to deal with the anticipated long lead-time in
getting the Granular Activated Carbon (“GAC”) adsorption system, PWSD staff is
purchasing the GAC treatment system separately and will supply it to a contractor for
installation under a separate contract.
DISCUSSION
On December 3, 2018, the PWSD solicited a formal RFP. The RFP was published in the
City’s local adjudicated newspaper and RFP packages were provided to contractors who
provide these services. On December 27, 2018, the City Clerk received two proposals.
All proposals received were evaluated based on experience, qualifications,
understanding of the needs of the City, quality of service approach, and cost. The results
of the evaluation with each company’s ranking and proposed cost are as follows:
Rank Company Name Score Cost
1 Calgon Carbon Corporation 95% $1,246,174
2 Aqueous Vets 85% $1,417,080
Professional Services Agreement for GAC Adsorption System
February 5, 2019
Page 3 of 4
The business of manufacturing, testing, and maintaining GAC adsorption systems is
rather small. There are only a few companies who offer these services nationwide. The
City contacted several companies before the request for proposals were due but still only
two proposal were submitted. The City contacted the two companies that did not submit
a proposal to determine why they did not submit a proposal. One company explained
that they had too much work at the time and could not meet the deadline of the RFP. The
other company explained that they are undergoing changes with their corporate office
and could not provide the services requested. It is not unusual to receive one or two bids
for this type of service due to its specialized nature.
After careful review and consideration, it was determined that Calgon Carbon Corporation
is the most qualified to construct, test, and maintain the GAC adsorption system for the
Live Oak Well. Calgon Carbon Corporation will build the system and test the water quality
to ensure that the treatment system will work as designed to remove TCE from the City’s
water supply. Additionally, Calgon Carbon Corporation will, as part of the services
provided, keep extra GAC systems in the City’s name to be used once the old GAC
system has been used up. It is anticipated that it will cost approximately $200,000 each
time the GAC adsorption system is replaced.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
This Project is considered a Class 3 exemption as defined in Section 15303 (d) of the
California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) since the project consists of constructing
a new and small structures, Granular Activated Carbon (“GAC”) treatment system to an
existing potable water supply well. This project is categorically exempt per the California
Environmental Quality Act as a new construction of small structures relating to utility
extensions, Section 15303 of the CEQA guidelines.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds in the amount of $2,000,000 is budgeted in The Fiscal Year 2018-19 Capital
Improvement Program for this project. The total cost is $1,246,174. In an effort to keep
costs to a minimum and to deal with the anticipated long lead -time, the GAC adsorption
system is being constructed and tested separately and will be supplied to a contractor for
installation under a separate contract. Sufficient funds should remain in the budget for the
installation work.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve, and authorize and direct the City
Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Calgon Carbon Corporation
for Granular Activated Carbon Adsorption System services at Live Oak Well in the amount
of $1,246,174.
Professional Services Agreement for GAC Adsorption System
February 5, 2019
Page 4 of 4
Attachment: Exhibit “A” – GAC Equipment Engineering Drawings
Proposed Professional Services Agreement