Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Treatment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council authorizes hydrated‑lime purchase for water plant after rebid draws no additional bidders
Summary
After rebidding drew no new suppliers, the council authorized purchase of hydrated lime from the sole responsible bidder to keep the water purification plant operating; staff estimated annual use at roughly 40 tons and said the price has doubled in two years.
The Long Beach City Council on Aug. 19 authorized the city manager to purchase hydrated lime on an as‑needed basis for the water purification plant from the sole responsible bidder following a rebid that failed to attract additional suppliers.
Ken Arnold, who fielded council questions on the item, said the city rebid the contract after moving the item off the previous month's agenda and that a prior vendor told staff the city's volume is too low to justify restarting deliveries. Arnold said purchasing hydrated lime is "crucial for the function of the water purification plant." When asked how many tons the plant uses annually, Arnold said, "Roughly I think it's 40." Council members noted the price of the material has roughly doubled in the last two years.
Council members asked whether alternative chemicals or consolidation with other purchasers were feasible. Arnold said staff will look into alternatives such as magnesium hydroxide or calcium oxide, and will further explore system modernization options, but that capital costs for major changes would be substantial. He also said some sewage treatment plants do not use lime and therefore county consolidation for delivery may not be possible.
The council approved the procurement as part of routine agenda approvals and directed staff to research longer‑term alternatives and potential supplier strategies.
