DATE: January 22, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Water Utilities Department
TITLE: PURCHASE ORDER FOR RECONDITIONING BELT FILTER PRESS AT LA SALINA WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council approve a purchase order to Alfa Laval Inc., in the amount of $380,299, to recondition one belt filter press; approve a budget change in the amount of $600,000; and authorize the Financial Services Director, or designee, to execute the purchase order.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The Water Utilities Department currently has two belt filter presses located at La Salina Wastewater Treatment Plant (LSWWTP). The belt filter presses are used to dewater digested sludge. The dewatered sludge is then transported off-site. This dewatering process is crucial for ensuring compliance with State and Federal regulations.
In 2014, City staff evaluated alternatives to determine whether it would be more beneficial to continue investing in ongoing maintenance, operation, and upgrades at LSWWTP or to decommission LSWWTP and divert all wastewater flows to the San Luis Rey Water Reclamation Facility. It was determined decommissioning LSWWTP would be in the best interest of the City. An updated assessment of the decommissioning alternative was completed by the City in March 2022, which confirmed that decommissioning LSWWTP is the most cost-effective solution. Decommissioning efforts are underway and expected to be completed within the next five to seven years. Until LSWWTP is decommissioned, the City must continue to maintain and replace critical equipment at the facility while meeting regulatory and permitting requirements to protect the health and safety of operations staff and community. After decommissioning of LSWWTP, the sludge pumps can be used as spares at the City’s other wastewater treatment plant.
During recent scheduled equipment maintenance, significant leaks and several new areas of heavy corrosion were identified on both belt presses. It was determined that reconditioning is necessary to keep the belt filter presses operational until the LSWWTP is decommissioned.
Staff reached out to Alfa Laval Inc., the exclusive provider of belt filter press equipment at LSWWTP, to request a quote for reconditioning. Reconditioning one belt filter press is the most economical choice at this time.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost for reconditioning the belt filter press, including tax and freight, is $380,299. The purchase order will be charged according to the table below. The Machinery and Equipment object has a shortfall to cover this project, therefore staff recommends that Council approve a budget change of $600,000 in the LSWWTP Upgrades account 909122700722 from object 5703.10600 to 5704.10600; with this change, there is sufficient budget to cover this expense.
|
Description |
Account Number |
Amount |
Available Balance* |
|
Alfa Laval PO |
LSWWTP Upgrades 909122700722.5704.10600 |
$380,299 |
$481,375 |
*assumes budget change.
Sewer Service and Flow Fees, in the Sewer Operating Fund and Fixed Asset Replacement Fund are the funding sources for this purchase.
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
The Water Utilities Commission will be apprised of staff’s recommendation at its regularly scheduled meeting on January 21, 2025.
CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
Purchases must comply with Chapter 28A of the City Code.
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Prepared by: Rudy Guzman, Water Utilities Division Manager
Reviewed by: Lindsay Leahy, Water Utilities Director
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Staff Report
2. Alfa Laval Reconditioning Proposal