Westminster council approves major contract for new Westminster Boulevard water plant after lengthy debate over ozone and cost

Councilors voted to authorize a large construction contract amendment and related construction-management contracts to build the new Westminster Boulevard drinking water facility after more than an hour of discussion over cost, treatment technology and the city’s water strategy.

The vote clears the way to move forward with the project’s guaranteed maximum price (GMP) and associated construction contracts. Council discussion focused on whether the plant should include an ozone system — a $16 million line-item councilors questioned — and how the plant relates to the older Semper treatment plant and the city’s water supply, operations and long-term capital needs.

Supporters among council and staff said the design and scope were value-engineered to trim earlier estimates and that the plant will add geographic resiliency to the city’s system. “We did a significant value engineering effort,” the city manager said during the meeting, and staff noted the newer plant has been reduced in capacity compared with earlier plans to manage cost while retaining the ability to add capacity in the future. Staff and the project’s…