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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/2/2000 - STAFF REPORTS (10) DATE: August 2, 2000 TO: City Council FROM: City Engineer and Asst. City Manager-Special Projects AUTHORIZING US FILTER TO PROCEED WITH A CAPITAL PROJECT TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL FACTORY REBUILT ENGINES AND PUMPS AT THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council authorize US Filter to proceed with a capital project in the amount not to exceed $80,000 to purchase and install factory rebuilt engines and pumps at the Wastewater Treatment Plant BACKGROUND: Prior to January of 2000, the Wastewater Treatment Plant used methane gas produced in the sludge digestion process to power gas engines and to heat the digesters. The gas engines drove the trickling filter feed pumps that direct primary effluent, and recirculated effluent, to the filters. These engines were never permitted by the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and were shut down at the end of 1999. This had 2 negative consequences for the treatment plant. 1. The digester gas that was being burned in these engines is being flared. 2. The cost of electricity to run the electric trickling filter feed pumps has increased by approximately$7,000 per month. US Filter has proposed two alternatives to the above problem. The first alternative is to install catalytic converters in each of the exhaust systems of the existing engines. In addition, electronic controls to optimize the air/fuel mixture, would also be installed to maximize the performance and extend the life of the converters. This alternative is estimated to cost approximately $20,000 and is guaranteed to meet the emission standards through the life of the US Filter agreement, which is approximately 5 years. The existing engines were installed in 1978. It is predicted that, at the end of the 5-year period, new engines would have to be purchased and installed. The second alternative is based on the fact that the existing engines and pumps are nearing the end of their useful life, and involves purchasing and installing factory rebuilt engines and pumps, and salvaging the existing engines to the rebuilding firm. These rebuilt engines, which also would meet all emissions requirements, would have the advantage of being able to increase the size of the pumps from the current 4800 gpm, as well as have a longer useful life estimated under the second alternative to be 10 to 15 years. The second alternative also has an advantage, should the City chose to proceed with the plant expansion in the not-too-distant future. When the plant expansion occurs, new engines and pumps would have to be installed if alternative 1 is chosen. However, should alternative 2 be chosen at this time, these new engines and pumps will have been installed prior to plant expansion, and should the expansion arh US FILTER/WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT August 2, 2000 Page 2 occur, the engines and pumps would be utilized for the expanded plant. Any work on the engines and pumps under alternative 1 would be discarded, should plant expansion occur, due to the eventual need of new engines and larger pumps. Staff, therefore, recommends that City Council authorize US Filter to proceed under Article V, Section 5.3 Capital Projects of their current O & M agreement (#4124) with purchasing and installing factory rebuilt engines and pumps (Alternative 2) in an amount not to exceed $80,000. Funds are available in account no. 420-6 00-50000 (Unscheduled Capital Projects). DAVID J. BARAKIAN EN SMOOT City Engineer Assistant City Manager-Spec. Projects APPROVED- City,Ma`nager ATTACHMENT: 1. Minute Order REVIEWED BY DEPT.OF FINANCE MINUTE ORDER NO. AUTHORIZING US FILTER TO PROCEED WITH A CAPITAL PROJECT TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL FACTORY REBUILT ENGINES AND PUMPS AT THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT I HEREBY CERTIFY that this Minute Order authorizing US Filter to proceed with a capital project in the amount not to exceed $80,000 to purchase and install factory rebuilt engines and pumps at the Wastewater Treatment Plant was approved by the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, California, in a meeting thereof held on the 2nd day of August 2000. PATRICIA A. SANDERS City Clerk