Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities Department

To:	David Corliss, City Manager Cynthia Boecker, Assistant City Manager Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
From:	Judy Regnier, Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager
CC:	Dave Wagner, Director of Utilities Mike Lawless, Assistant Utilities Director Beth Krishtalka, Utilities Management Analyst Mark Hegeman, Wastewater Systems Manager Alan Landis, Finance Bobbie Walthall, City Managers Office
Date:	January 09, 2009
RE:	January 20, 2009 City Commission Agenda Actiflo Polymer Magnafloc 110L

Please include the following item on the City Commission consent agenda for consideration at the January 20, 2009 meeting.

Actiflo Polymer Magnafloc 110L

History:

Due to imperfections in the collections system, flow to the wastewater treatment plant can increase significantly during substantial rain events. Due to the need to treat this excess water (mostly dilute), a system (called Actiflo) was developed to be used during these periods of high flow. The excess flows to the WWTP greater than 25 million gallons per day are pumped from the head of the plant by-passing normal treatment and through fine screens (to screen out any objects over the size of a pencil eraser). After screening, the flow proceeds to the Actiflo basins. There, ferric chloride, polymer, and micro-sand are mixed with the wastewater to form ballasted floc, which settles quickly and is removed from the flow. The clear effluent from Actiflo flows to a chlorine contact basin that is dedicated to this flow, where liquid chlorine is added for disinfection and sodium bisulfite is added to remove the residual chlorine (as takes place under normal treatment).

The Actiflo Polymer Magnafloc 110L chemical is used to settle solids during the Actiflo process.

The Utility department has done extensive studying to determine the chemicals to use, which included bench/jar testing of multiple chemicals. Through testing, it was found that Polymer Magnafloc 110L manufactured by CIBA was the only chemical to settle solids during the Actiflo process.

The Utility Department will use 15,435 pounds of Polymer Magnafloc 110L in 2009 during the use of Actiflo. The Polymer Magnafloc-Imulsioin costs $2.37 per pound.

Action Request:

Utility Department staff requests approval from the City Commission to authorize the City Manager to execute a purchase order to CIBA Chemical in the amount of $36,580.95 to purchase 15,435 pounds of the Polymer Magnafloc 110L. The Finance Department has confirmed that CIBA Chemical is the sole source for this product.

Funding:

Funding for the purchase of the chemical will come from the operation and maintenance budget of the wastewater treatment plant, 7310-4008, Consumable Supplies/Chemicals

Thank you for your assistance.  Please advise if you have any questions.