Council approves $700,463 in change orders for wastewater plant upgrade

Klamath Falls — The City Council on July 21 approved three change orders totaling $700,463.57 for the ongoing wastewater treatment plant upgrade.

Public Works Director Mark Wilray told council the largest change stemmed from unexpected conditions in one of the plant’s digesters. An investigation found the digester roof was thinner than anticipated, creating structural concerns and delaying the contractor’s schedule by roughly three months. The resulting time impacts and specialist work contributed to the first change order.

Wilray said a second change order funds creation of an electronic site to house operations and maintenance manuals for the project’s completed phases. The third change order covered additional dewatering and material removal the contractor performed; staff said the contractor removed roughly 185,000 gallons during dewatering and provided a 50% discount on the extra work.

All three change orders were reviewed by the city’s project representative, HDR, and the contractor’s project manager was available online for technical questions. Council moved to authorize the city manager to execute the three change orders totaling $700,463.57.

Nut graf: Staff described the change orders as responses to unforeseen subsurface/structural conditions and to necessary documentation and cleanup work; HDR reviewed the cost and scope before the council approved the changes.

Ending: The council approved the change orders by voice vote with no recorded opposition; staff said the project is nearing completion and remaining work includes final dewatering and cleanup.