Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities Department

 

TO:

Thomas M. Markus – City Manager

Diane Stoddard – Assistant City Manager

Casey Toomay – Assistant City Manager

Brandon McGuire – Assistant to the City Manager

FROM:

Andy Ensz – Utilities Project Engineer

CC:

Dave Wagner – Director of Utilities

Mike Lawless – Deputy Director of Utilities

Philip Ciesielski – Assistant Director of Utilities

Beth Krishtalka – Assistant to the Director

DATE:

June 27, 2016

RE:

Negotiate an Engineering Services Agreement for Wastewater Flow Optimization Project UT1605.

 

Background

The City of Lawrence Kaw River Wastewater Treatment Plant (KRWWTP) is designed to treat 12.5 MGD of dry weather flows and up to 65 MGD of peak wet weather flows; a maximum of 25 MGD of the peak flows can be treated using conventional activated sludge. The KRWWTP utilizes a High Rate Clarification (HRC) or Actiflo® treatment train to treat peak wet weather flows that are not treated using the activated sludge treatment trains. The cost to run Actiflo® is approximately $700-$1000 per 1 MG of influent flow processed. Reducing the Actiflo® usage time could result in significant cost and operational savings.

 

Excess flow storage at the KRWWTP is approximately 4.3 MG. Wet weather storage is also available at Pump Station #9 (PS#09). The operation of PS#09, Pump Station #5 (PS#05), and utilization of wet weather storage directly impact the Actiflo® usage time.

 

Project Details

The Department of Utilities desires to develop a real time decision support system (RT-DSS) to optimize flow distribution through the current wastewater collection system. The RT-DSS will be used to minimize Actiflo® usage and minimize surcharge in the collection system. Real time data collected by sensors located throughout the collection system will be input into the RT-DSS to predict flow conditions and recommend how to operate the collection system and wastewater treatment facilities to maximize efficiency.

 

After the Wakarusa Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWWTP) and influent Pump Station #10 (PS#10) are operational in 2018, this will add to the complexity of the system because PS#10 will be able to divert flows from the interceptors between PS#09 and PS#05 and send them to the WWWTP for immediate treatment or storage. Balancing the flows between the two wastewater treatment plants and storage facilities will be critical. PS #10 and the WWWTP will not be considered in this phase of the analysis but will be developed as part of a future phase.

 

Project Status

On April 26, 2016, City Commission authorized staff to advertise a Request for Proposals for Wastewater Flow Optimization Project UT1605. The RFP was advertised on DemandStar and sent to 26 engineering firms.

 

On May 27, 2016, staff received one proposal from EmNet.

 

A review committee consisting of staff from the Department of Utilities evaluated the proposal from EmNet. The proposal met the requirements listed in the RFP.  EmNet was selected by the review committee based on the RFP response and the positive responses received during reference checks.

 

Project Funding

The project will be funded from the Department of Utilities 2016 Capital Improvement Program.

 

Action

Authorize Staff to negotiate an Engineering Services Agreement with EmNet for Wastewater Flow Optimization Project UT1605.