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TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: David E. Schumacher; Superintendent of Water Production
DATE: May 14, 2014
SUBJECT:
Resolution Authorizing a Professional Services Agreement for the Development of a Strategic Plan to Reduce Water Loss for the Water Loss Mitigation Task Force (for the Finance Committee of May 27, 2014)
PURPOSE:
To obtain City Council authorization for a professional engineering services agreement for the development of a Strategic Plan for water loss reduction with Black & Veatch Corporation Chicago, IL (B&V), in an amount not to exceed $ 91,000.00.
BACKGROUND:
The city's municipal water system began over 100 years ago and has evolved into a large complicated configuration. It currently consists of a lime-softening water treatment plant, two pressure zones, six finished water storage sites, one booster station, over 700 miles of transmission and distribution mains, individual customer service lines, over 48,000 customer meters, and meter reading and bill processing systems.
All water utilities suffer some measure of loss which can be classified as either "real" or "apparent." Real losses, which is water actually leaked from the system into the surrounding ground, inflate a system's operations and maintenance costs and causes unnecessary water withdrawals from source water resources. Apparent losses, which consist of customer metering inaccuracies, unauthorized consumption, and systematic data handling errors, cause water utilities to miss a portion of the revenue to which they are entitled since water reaches a customer but is not accurately registered for billing purposes.
The city considers the historical estimated amounts of water loss to be elevated and there is interest in pursuing ways to find and significantly reduce these losses. As such, the city has created a task force to investigate the issue. The Water Loss Mitigation Task Force (WLMTF) has been formed and is comprised of members from the Finance Department, Water Billing Division, Engineering Division, Water & Sewer Maintenance Division, and the Water Production Division.
The first undertaking that the WLMTF would like to complete is the creation of a Strategic Plan which can be followed to systematically reduce the water loss being experienced. This Strategic Plan will be based on best practices developed by national research committees and identified in the American Water Works Association (AWWA) M36 Manual of Practice titled Water Audits and Loss Control Programs. The development of this plan is critical to the long-term success of the loss reduction program and thus a firm with significant experience in this specific type of work was explored.
DISCUSSION:
In order to select an engineering firm to develop the Strategic Plan, in February 2014, the WLMTF identified four consulting firms deemed appropriate candidates to perform the required strategic plan development work. All four firms submitted statements of their qualifications and three made presentations to the WLMTF. They were Black & Veatch Corporation, Chicago, IL, ARCADIS U.S., Inc., Chicago, IL, and a team consisting of Cavanaugh & Associates, P.A. Winston-Salem, NC & CH2M-Hill, Chicago, IL. Each firm was ranked in categories including qualifications submitted, capacity and experience, project team, and communication ability and style. While all the firms are qualified to perform the required tasks, it is recommended that B&V be retained.
B&V has significant experience in water loss reduction projects, members of their team are prominent contributors on national committees regarding water loss concerns, and they have an office in the Chicagoland area. The expected result of this project is the development of a prioritized, goal-oriented, long-term Strategic Plan that can be utilized and followed by the WLMTF.
Attached is a copy of the proposed professional engineering services agreement which has been reviewed and approved by the City's Legal Division. Funds are available in budget Account No. 510-2560-511-32-99.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
None.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Mayor and City Council approve the attached resolution authorizing execution of an agreement for professional engineering services with Black & Veatch Corporation, Chicago, IL, for development of a strategic plan for water loss reduction in an amount not to exceed $91,000.00. It is further recommended that this matter be forwarded to the Finance Committee for their review and approval.
cc: Alderman O'Connor, Chairman
Alderman Mervine
Alderman Bohman
Alderman Peters, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution Authorizing a Professional Services Agreement for the Development of a Strategic Plan to Reduce Water Loss for the Water Loss Mitigation Task Force
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Water Loss Mitigation Task Force seeks to have a long-term strategic plan which can guide the city thru various activities to reduce the currently experienced water loss; and
WHEREAS, a proposal has been received from Black & Veatch Corporation, Chicago, IL to provide professional engineering services for the development of a water loss reduction strategic plan; and
WHEREAS, budgetary authority is granted and funds are available in the 2014 City Budget Account No. 510-2560-511-32-99;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Purchasing Director is authorized to execute an agreement with Black & Veatch Corporation for professional engineering services for the development of a water loss reduction strategic plan in an amount not to exceed $91,000.00.
PASSED AND APPROVED on ______________.
AYES ____ NAYS ____ NOT VOTING ____ ABSENT ____
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Bohman, Ward 1 Alderman Garza, Ward 2
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Mesiacos, Ward 3 Alderman Donnell, Ward 4
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Peters, Ward 5 Alderman Saville, Ward 6
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Hart-Burns, Ward 7 Alderman Mervine, Ward 8
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Bugg, Ward 9 Alderman Johnson, Ward 10
____________________________ __________________________
Alderman Irvin, At Large Alderman O'Connor, At Large
ATTEST:
____________________________ __________________________
City Clerk Mayor
Black & Veatch Corporation professional engineering services agreement