Title
Discuss and consider action to authorize the City Manager to approve the purchase of water treatment plant membranes for the City's water treatment plant from General Electric in the amount of $1,350,160.
Summary
The original membranes were installed in the water treatment plant in 2006 and are starting to show signs of reduced capacity as they are nearing the end of their anticipated service life. The plant was originally designed and constructed to allow the installation of 25 membrane cassettes. Only 20 cassettes were originally installed.
The City is planning to replace the membranes in three phases due to cost and service life issues. Phase 1 purchased 10 new membrane cassettes which were installed in FY 2014. The request for Phase 2 is to purchase and install another 10 cassettes in FY 2015. Phase 3 will purchase and install the final 5 new cassettes in fiscal year 2016. The existing 20 membrane cassettes have a treatment capacity of 13.5 million gallons per day. With the three phases of the replacement project, the city will end up with 25 membrane cassettes which will increase the treatment capacity to approximately 18 million gallons per day.
General Electric (GE) is a sole source provider of the membranes that will be replaced. The City has been in negotiations with GE concerning this purchase with a resulting price of $1,350,160 for the purchase and installation of 10 new cassettes. In accordance with 30 TAC §290.39.(j), the City of Pflugerville has also notified the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) that the City intends to replace and add to the existing membrane modules at the City's water treatment plant. We are currently awaiting their approval for this upgrade to our system.
Fiscal Impact
Funds for this replacement are included in the fiscal year 2015 budget as part of the Utility Capital Improvement Program, with additional funds shown in fiscal year 2016 to complete the project.
Staff Recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to approve the purchase of water treatment plant membranes for the City's water treatment plant from General Electric in the amount of $1,350,160.
Drafter
Tom Word
Assistant City Manager