Water board approves $1.435 million contract for treatment-plant work; engineers outline permit, instrumentation and optimization plan

The Hartford Prowser Water Security Board approved awarding a contract to Kent Brothers Construction for upgrades to the water system and heard engineering updates on required instrumentation, permits and a 120-day distribution optimization plan.

Evan White of MidPen Engineering told the board that Kent Brothers Construction submitted the low bid with alternate No. 1 and that the firm’s recommended award amount is $1,435,085. “The project to Kent Brothers Construction with a deducted alternate number 1 in the amount of $1,435,085. And that money is part of the ARP grant,” White said during the engineering report. The board voted by voice; the chair called for “Aye” and the motion carried.

White described recent work at the treatment plant — painting, adding extra plates and seals, and disinfection — and said the plant’s closure notice had ended the previous day. He said the board is awaiting comments on a withdrawal permit and that a Brandy Branch Booster Station site visit was scheduled. White also said the board has 60 days to submit part of a 120-day distribution optimization plan and that about 30 days remain to finish the current milestone: “We got about 30 left.” He said some instrumentation must be installed at the treatment plant and that a corrective action plan will follow the optimization submittal.

White also reported that the hydraulic model requested by the board has been completed and that staff will begin calibrating it using system pressures and flows. He noted a wastewater pump at Sam Beasley’s site remains in design and that other small projects are moving forward.

During the general manager’s report, Emma Hall reported an increase in apparent water loss. “Our water loss have increased to 44.6% this month,” Hall said, and attributed much of the change to a water meter at the plant that is intermittently failing to record flow.

Board members did not record individual roll-call votes on the Kent Brothers motion during the meeting transcript; the chair called for approval by voice and the motion was adopted. Board members asked staff to continue work on permitting, instrumentation and the required corrective action plan.

Background: White said bids were opened on Aug. 11 and that the ARP (American Rescue Plan) grant will cover the recommended contract amount. Staff emphasized that several additional steps remain before construction is fully underway: receiving permit comments, installing instrumentation, calibrating the hydraulic model and filing the distribution optimization and corrective action plans with the relevant regulator.

The board moved on to other agenda items after the engineering and general manager reports; staff will return with follow-up information on permits, instrumentation needs and the optimization plan timetable.