Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities Department

 

TO:

David L. Corliss – City Manager

Cynthia Boecker - Assistant City Manager

Diane Stoddard - Assistant City Manager

FROM:

Philip Ciesielski – Asst. Director of Utilities

CC:

Dave Wagner – Director of Utilities

Mike Lawless – Asst. Director of Utilities

Beth Frailey Krishtalka – Management Analyst

Mark Hegeman – Water Systems Manager

Date:

November 4, 2009

RE:

Agenda Item – Advertise RFP R09020 for Engineering Services for Project UT0909DS Concrete Watermain Assessment

 

Please include the following item on the City Commission Agenda for consideration at the November 10, 2009 meeting:

Authorize Staff to advertise a Request for Proposals RFP R09020 for Engineering Services for Project UT0909DS Concrete Watermain Assessment.

Project Description: The Department of Utilities water distribution and transmission main network consists of approximately 423 miles of pipe. The mains range in age from 123 years to less than 1 year; in diameter from 2” to 36”; and are made from a variety of materials including ductile and cast iron, PVC, transite and concrete.

 

Concrete transmission mains make up approximately 12.6 miles of the system (map attached). These mains were constructed during the 1950’s and late 1970’s and range in diameter from 16” to 36”. While these mains have traditionally been reliable structures for the Department there is a history of catastrophic failures of similar pipe across the country. The critical nature of the concrete mains to convey raw water to the Clinton WTP as well as move large quantities of treated water from both the Clinton and Kaw WTPs to various areas of the distribution system makes the accurate assessment of their existing condition and expected remaining service life a high priority within the Department’s work plan. In addition, due to the large pipe diameters and the volume of water being transported through these mains, failures often result in localized flooding, property damage, public health concerns and disruption of service.

 

Project Status/Details: Recent developments in technologies such as acoustic, electromagnetic and video allow condition assessments to be made on entire lengths of pipe with the pipe in service. These assessment techniques can quantify the current overall structural condition of the pipe, locate active leaks, and locate and quantify areas of corrosion damage and loss of reinforcing pre-stressing wires due to corrosion and breakage. The results of these assessments will provide the information necessary to design and execute any immediate repairs and form the basis for a longer term ongoing evaluation and rehabilitation program.

 

Staff are proposing to solicit proposals from firms experienced in the assessment of concrete pressure pipe. The anticipated scope of services will include:

·         A desktop analysis of available design, manufacturing, construction and operational information.

·         Comparison of the desktop analysis results to nationwide historic concrete pressure pipe failure information.

·         Prioritization of the mains, using the above results, for field assessment based on susceptibility to degradation and risk of failure.

·         Selection of the appropriate field assessment technique(s) for each main.

·         Assistance in advertising and selecting a qualified pipeline field assessment contractor.

·         Management and inspection of the pipeline field assessment contractor’s activities.

·         Review and evaluation of the pipeline field assessment data.

·         Establishment of a repair, rehabilitation, replacement and monitoring program and budget based on the results of the desktop and field assessments.

 

Project Funding: The project has been budgeted and funded from the 2009 Capital Improvement Program non-bonded construction fund.

 

Action Request: Authorize Staff to advertise a Request for Proposals RFP R09020 for Engineering Services for Project UT0909DS Concrete Watermain Assessment.

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