Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Utilities Department

TO:	David L. Corliss – City Manager Cynthia Wagner - Assistant City Manager Diane Stoddard - Assistant City Manager
FROM:	Tom Wilson – Wastewater Treatment Operations Field Supervisor
CC:	Dave Wagner – Director of Utilities Mike Lawless – Deputy Director of Utilities Philip Ciesielski – Assistant Director of Utilities Mark Hegeman – Utilities Operations Superintendent Dave King – Utilities Maintenance Superintendent
DATE:	May 27, 2014
RE:	June 3, 2014 Agenda Item – Authorize purchase of two nitrate probes

Background

As nutrient removal efficiencies become more stringent in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) permits, back and current data has become imperative to decide what upgrades are needed to achieve the best results. To collect this data in the most efficient manner we will need onsite (sample site) probes to provide the most accurate data for analysis. Onsite probes provide more reliability with a continuous stream of data versus an operator’s grab sample that has fewer data points for analysis. There are already several onsite probes in use today that have proven valuable to the operations group. More probes are planned with the Wakarusa WWTP start up.

Project Description

Staff plans to outfit the Kansas River WWTP with the additional necessary probes for collecting data. The data collected will support operational changes to ensure we are optimizing the overall plant capabilities and nutrient removal of the current WWTP. Staff plans to add two Hach nitrate probes to detect plant influent and effluent nitrate levels. Operators currently conduct grab sample tests to ensure we are achieving complete nitrification. Addition of the probes would provide more complete data for better decision-making. To maintain consistency and compatibility with the meter that is used for several other probe applications throughout both the wastewater and water plants, a sole source purchase is necessary.

Funding

The probes will be funded from the Department of Utilities Operations and Maintenance Budget.

Action

Authorize the Utilities Department to sole source purchase two probes, meters and mounting hardware for each in the total amount of $36,571.08.