Columbia County awards $4.02 million waterline cleaning project to Blair Construction to install permanent pig stations

Columbia County authorized a $4,021,444.78 contract with Blair Construction to install permanent pig launch and receiving stations on major water transmission lines as phase 1 of a waterline cleaning initiative.

Public Works staff described the project as installation of launch and receiving vaults (so-called “Y” assemblies) on the county's 30-, 36- and 24-inch mains leaving the Jim Blanchard Water Treatment Plant. The vaults will allow the county to periodically send a sponge pig through the lines using water-system pressure to remove deposits from pipe walls, then capture and dispose of the removed material at a receiving location with required erosion-and-soil-control measures.

Staff said the project was above initial budget estimates because material costs rose; after consulting with the low bidder and procurement staff, they concluded the bid was fair. The county will later issue a separate procurement to purchase and operate the pigs themselves; this construction contract covers only the permanent launch/receive infrastructure. Staff recommended approval.

Commissioners asked whether the public will see effects during construction and cleaning. Staff said the county will use social media and public notices because cutting and working on water mains can temporarily produce discolored water and require flushing: “We will have to get on social media and and let everyone know because we may see some dirty water.” The presentation noted the construction portion is phase 1; subsequent work to run the pigs and perform additional cleaning will be procured separately.

The record shows the low, responsive bidder was Blair Construction at $4,021,444.78 and staff recommended approval. The motion to approve the contract moved on consent in the Public Works meeting.