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 $1,670,372.
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 over the next several years with replacements being completed in FY 2016. We anticipate the new Phase 1 membranes being operational by spring 2014. 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 $1,670,372 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.
Deadline for City Council Action
If the new membranes are ordered and installed prior to December 31, 2013, there will be a savings of at least $100,000 to the City due to escalators in the City’s contract with GE for membrane replacement that occur on January 1, 2014.
Fiscal Impact
Funds for this replacement are included in the fiscal y...
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