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North Aurora staff to study Batavia interconnect as cheaper alternative to new water tower; generator bid rejected
Summary
Board approved a $49,954 engineering study to evaluate whether the City of Batavia can supply water to a low-pressure area after consultants flagged capacity problems; a bid for generator controls at the village treatment plants was rejected after it came in over budget.
The North Aurora Village Board on Sept. 15 approved a $49,954 professional services agreement with engineering firm EEI to evaluate whether the City of Batavia could supply water to a section of the village that has shown low pressure under some operating conditions. The board separately voted to reject a single bid for a generator-control project at the East and West Water Treatment Plants after the single bid exceeded the budget.
Village staff told the board EEI’s work follows the village’s water master plan, which identified potentially low pressure on the northeast side of town. "We have 2 active water towers right now. 1 on the East side, 1 on the West side. There is a third tower in the middle of town... we are in the process of building a new tower right now. So it's literally being constructed as we speak," a village staff member said during public comment.
The nut graf: the EEI study is intended to determine whether an interconnection with Batavia would meet capacity and fire-flow needs and avoid the roughly $15 million cost staff estimated for building a new tower and booster pump for the area.
Village staff explained the options studied so far include constructing a new tower and booster pump — estimated in discussion at about $15,000,000 — or pursuing an interconnection with Batavia. Because EEI flagged an operational low-pressure condition and residents had reported similar symptoms, staff recommended the engineering study to assess viability of the interconnect and to document any system changes needed if a developer locates in the area.
On separate water-related business, staff presented a single bid for a generator control program at the East and West treatment plants that came in approximately $22,000 over budget; the board approved rejecting that bid and directed staff to rebid in the future. Staff said the same rebid recommendation applied to a fire-training-site electrical improvement project that came in about $73,000 over budget.
The board approved the EEI agreement on a voice/roll-call vote following the staff presentation. Staff also said the village has an existing empty tower near Goodwin Elementary that is being replaced as part of current construction and that the board will review EEI’s findings before committing to capital work.
Village staff said next steps are for EEI to complete the technical evaluation of a potential Batavia interconnect and for staff to return to the board with findings and any recommended agreements or capital budgets.
Sources: village staff presentations and public comments at the Sept. 15 North Aurora Village Board meeting.
