City of Lawrence

Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
FROM:	Aurora Shields, Water Quality Manager
CC:	Dave Wagner, Director of Utilities Mike Lawless, Deputy Director of Utilities Philip Ciesielski, Assistant Director of Utilities Melinda Harger, Utilities Engineer Beth Krishtalka, Assistant to Director
Date:	November 13, 2013
RE:	UT1304 - Contract with Kansas Biological Survey / The University of Kansas Center For Research Inc. (KUCR) for Biota Study on the Wakarusa River

Please include the following item on the City Commission Agenda for consideration at the November 19, 2013 meeting:

Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with the Kansas Biological Survey (KBS) / The University of Kansas Center For Research Inc. (KUCR) to complete the Biota Study on the Wakarusa River as required by permit.

Project History

The KDHE Permit for the Wakarusa Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) requires a study on the effects of the discharges on the quality and quantity of biota in the Wakarusa River. At the March 12, 2013 meeting, the City Commission authorized staff to negotiate with the KBS / KUCR and develop an agreement to conduct the Biota Study on the Wakarusa River.

Project Status

The KBS, Central Plains Center for BioAssessment (CPCB) will perform chemical and biological monitoring of the Wakarusa River for the City of Lawrence upstream and downstream from the Wakarusa WWTP site. This assessment is a requirement under National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit issued by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for the Wakarusa WWTP. The objectives of this project are to evaluate chemical and biological conditions of the Wakarusa River before initiating wastewater discharge (Phase 1) and chemical and biological conditions after discharge is initiated (Phase 2). The purchase order at this time will be for Phase 1 only in the amount of $97,618. Phase 2 of the study will take place within 2 years following initial operation of the WWTP and is not included in this contract or scope of work.

Project Funding

The project will be funded from the Department of Utilities bonded construction fund under Resolution 7019 for UT1304 Wakarusa Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Action Request