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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Robert Leible, Superintendent of Water Production
DATE: November 9, 2026
SUBJECT:
A resolution authorizing the award of contracts to supply process chemicals for the Water Production Division.
PURPOSE:
To obtain city council approval for the execution of contracts with suppliers of various process chemicals for the Water Production Division.
BACKGROUND:
Each year the Water Production Division (WPD) solicits bids for process chemicals to be used at the Water Treatment Plant, bids 26-081 and 26-103. The chemicals supplied are essential and necessary to the operations of the various treatment processes such as softening, disinfection, clarification, filtration, fluoridation, corrosion control and taste & odor control as well as regulatory compliance with drinking water standards. Competitive bidding for these chemicals was completed via reverse auction and through OpenGov procurement. Bid tabulations for each solicitation are attached.
DISCUSSION:
The following suppliers are listed as the lowest responsive, responsible bidders and are recommended for a one-year period commencing on January 1, 2027.
Rowell Chemical Corp. - Sodium Hypochlorite
Tanner Industries, Inc. - Anhydrous Ammonia
Water Solutions Unlimited - Dipotassium Orthophosphate
Arq Purification, LLC - Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC)
Pencco, Inc. - Fluorosilicic Acid
The following suppliers are listed as the lowest responsive, responsible bidders and are recommended for a two-year period commencing on January 1, 2027, and ending December 31, 2028. Year two of the agreement is an option year and is subject to mutual agreement.
Kemira Water Solutions - Liquid Ferric Chloride
Polydyne Inc. - Cationic Polymer
MLC - Calcium Oxide
An attachment lists the recommended bidders, unit prices, and total estimated contract amounts.
In addition, a special circumstance occurred with the 2026 supplier of PAC, with Atlas Carbon ceasing operations effective August 1, 2026. As such, working with the Purchasing Division, the WPD reached out to three known suppliers for pricing for the remainder of 2026. Arq Purification provided the lowest unit cost at $0.84/lb. The total cost for the remainder of 2026 will exceed $50,000, so this resolution will also provide approval for the interim supply of PAC until December 31, 2026.
Funds have been requested in the 2027 City Budget in Account No. 510-4058-511-65-36 in the amount of $3,537,041. The proposed budget amount is based on the estimated usage of all process chemicals utilized by the WPD.
The City of Aurora Local Preference Ordinance did apply to these bids but did not impact the awards.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
None.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Request committee and city council approval of a resolution authorizing execution of contracts to supply process chemicals during 2027 and 2028.
cc: Infrastructure and Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution authorizing the award of contracts to supply process chemicals for the Water Production Division.
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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, sealed bids were requested and reverse-auction pricing was submitted by chemical suppliers for process chemicals to be used in the treatment of the City's water supply commencing on January 1, 2027; and
WHEREAS, listed on the attachment, "WPD Recommended Chemical Suppliers 2027 - 2028", are the lowest responsive, responsible bidders for each process chemical, at the bid amount shown for a one-year or two-year period; and
WHEREAS, Arq Purification will provide an interim supply of powdered activated carbon for the remainder of 2026 at an estimated cost of $71,000; and
WHEREAS, funding for the purchase of all process chemicals is provided annually in the City Budget in Account No. 510-4058-511-65-36 with a requested 2027 budget of $3,537,041.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: subject to the approval of this item in 2027 budget, that the Director of Purchasing is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with MLC, Pencco, Inc., Rowell Chemical Corp., Tanner Industries, Inc., Water Solutions Unlimited, Arq Purification LLC, Kemira Water Solutions, and Polydyne, Inc., for the Water Production Division.