Title
Approving a resolution ratifying the Lake Pflugerville Pump Station Disaster Declaration and approving payment for related expenditures to repair the pump stations.
Summary
On Thursday morning, May 1, 2014, utility staff employees doing a routine check of the Lake Pflugerville Pump Station observed large amounts of water bubbling up through the ground around the building. This pump station pushes water from Lake Pflugerville to the City's Water Treatment Plant. Without this pump station in operation, the water treatment plant has no water to treat.
The leaks were significant enough that we had to discontinue use of the pump station. To assure that Pflugerville customers had water, we opened and closed valves around the City so that we could serve the entire City with our two water wells. We contacted Manville and they agreed to temporarily suspend taking water from the City under our two wholesale agreements with Manville. They were taking 1.5 million gallons per day, which accounted for 25% of the water we produced on Wednesday of this week. We also contacted the ESD and asked them to avoid any hydrant flow testing or any exercises that would use large quantities of water. Our construction inspection department asked our Capital Improvement Program (CIP) contractors and subdivision developers to not flush any water lines under construction until next week. By making these requests, we were able to fully serve our retail water customers at this time with well water only.
Significant water was present along the west side of the building as well as in vaults to the south of the building accessing the discharge pipe connecting the pump station to the water treatment plant. Because of the critical role of this pump station to our ability to provide water, we treated the investigation and repair of this facility as an emergency. The size of the pipes (up to 48" in diameter) connecting to this pump station and the depth of the pipes (up to 22' deep) are beyond the capabilities of our Utility Department Staff to repair.
Status
The City's engineer, Freese & Nichols, Inc., provided staff a preliminary findings report on May 16, 2014 and 95% plans and specifications for the pump station repairs will be provided by May 23, 2014. The estimated budget for this project is $750,000.
Prior City Council Action
On May 13, the Council approved a professional services agreement with Freese & Nichols, Inc. for engineering and design services for the Lake Pflugerville Pump Station Improvements. The Council also approved a budget of $750,000 for the emergency response, design and repair of the Pflugerville Pump Station.
Deadline for City Council Action
This is an emergency item and approval is necessary for staff to move forward with repairs.
Projected Future City Council Action
A construction contract will be presented to the City Council for consideration at a June meeting.
Fiscal Impact
The estimated cost of this emergency repair will be $750,000 which will be funded through utility fund balance and included in the proposed budget amendments for the third quarter of fiscal year 2014.
Staff Recommendation
Approve the resolution ratifying the Lake Pflugerville Pump Station Disaster Declaration and approve payment for related expenditures to repair the pump station.
Drafter
Tom Word
Assistant City Manager