Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Department of Utilities

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
FROM:	Philip E. Ciesielski, Assistant Director of Utilities
CC:	Dave Wagner, Director of Utilities Mike Lawless, Assistant Director of Utilities Beth Krishtalka, Assistant to Director Mark Hegeman, Utilities Operations Superintendent Dave King, Utilities Maintenance Superintendent
	March 5, 2012
RE:	Agenda Item – Set a Bid Date for Bid Number B1221, Project UT1204CS Pump Station PS43 Pump Replacement

Please include the following item on the City Commission agenda for consideration at the March 13, 2012 meeting:

Set a bid date of April 10, 2012 for Bid Number B1221, Project UT1204CS Pump Station PS43 Pump Replacement. 

Project Details

Sanitary Sewer Pump Station PS43 is located on 13^th Street between Ranchero Drive and Wagon Wheel Road (map attached). The pump station was constructed in 2000 - 01 as part of the Western Hills Sanitary Sewer Benefit District. The pump station serves 21 existing residential properties covering approximately 17.5 acres.

In 2007 the original pumps were replaced to address operational and electrical issues related to the original design. In early 2010 the pump station began having consistent issues related to clogging by heavy duty cleaning and personal hygiene wipes. These wipes are not designed to be disposed of in the sanitary sewer as they do not biodegrade. The existing pumps are not able to shred and pass the wipes. The clogging has resulted in the need for staff to perform at least weekly removal of the pumps to clear the wipes and restore service. The issue became worse in July 2011 and staff performed a neighborhood education program with door hangers in an attempt to keep the wipes out of the system. Staff also installed baskets in the pump station in an attempt to catch the wipes before they reached the pumps. The disposal of the wipes has not diminished. The baskets have been partially successful in intercepting the wipes, however, they now require at least twice weekly maintenance to remove the accumulated wipes and other debris. The weekly pump maintenance has also continued to clear wipes that get past the baskets.

Project Status

One of the challenges with finding pumps to pass the wipes and eliminate the clogging is that the diameter of the existing discharge forcemain is only 2”. Typical sanitary sewer pumps are designed to pass a 3” diameter solid using a minimum 4” diameter forcemain. Department of Utilities Maintenance and Engineering Staff have research the installation of pumps that are designed to pass the wipes that enter the pump station wet well using the existing 2” forcemain. Department of Utilities Staff have completed specifications for the purchase and installation of new submersible pumps and necessary the electrical modifications to accommodate the new pumps. This project is ready to bid.

Project Schedule*

Advertise for Bid                March 14, 2012

Bid Opening                      April 10, 2012

Award Bid                         April 17, 2012

Notice to Proceed               April 30, 2012

Project Completion             August 31, 2012

*Project duration is estimated based on typical procurement timelines and will be set by actual delivery of the pumps.

Project Funding

The project is funded in the 2012 Department of Utilities Operations and Maintenance and budget.

Action Request

Set a bid date of April 10, 2012  for Bid Number B1221, Project UT1204CS Pump Station PS43 Pump Replacement.