Water Resources Board approves permeable paving, pilot testing and contract amendments; several task orders authorized

The Water Resources Board approved a package of funding and contract items including $373,580.60 to support permeable paving at Old Port Park, a partial refund tied to a sewer-easement abandonment, and several consultant task orders and a pilot program to study emerging contaminants.

Board members voted to join a stormwater participation request to cover the cost difference between traditional asphalt and a permeable paving system at Old Port Park, a request staff said would reduce impervious surface area and runoff to nearby waterways. “We’re requesting approval for that difference in the construction. It would be, $373,580.60,” said Josh, a staff member presenting the request.

The board also approved abandoning roughly 0.246 acres of a previously purchased permanent sewer easement conditioned on the developer reimbursing the department roughly $4,268 to recoup about half of the original $9,194 purchase, staff said.

The board authorized amendment 1 to a previously approved task order for SSR, a consultant, to recognize additional work performed for the WORF wet-weather evaluation and approved an associated amendment request of $56,340. “We’re asking for the $56,340 for this amendment,” Mr. Strickland said.

Separately, the board approved a task order for geotechnical services tied to the same wet-weather construction work, authorizing $89,108 for TTL to perform inspections, testing and related services. Mr. Strickland presented that task order and said the services are required as part of the construction project.

On a related item, the board approved a pilot program and task order to test a granular activated carbon (GAC) replacement aimed at removing PFOS and other emerging contaminants from water. Staff said the pilot would run about a year and cost $235,541, including contingencies, and would be executed with laboratory analysis and carbon suppliers. “The cost for conducting the pilot is $235,541. That does include contingencies should they arise,” a staff presenter said. Legal staff noted there is crossover with ongoing landfill litigation and said final approval would be subject to legal review of contract form.

All motions carried with standard voice votes; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript.

Why it matters: The approvals advance construction and water-quality work that staff said will reduce runoff to Lytle Creek and West Fork Stones River, add permeable surfaces in a public park, and test approaches for removing PFOS and other emerging contaminants from potable or process water.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (6 items): approved by voice vote. - Minutes (Dec. 3, 2024): accepted as presented by voice vote. - Old Port Park permeable paving participation: approved; participation covers the cost difference ($373,580.60) between traditional asphalt and permeable paving. - Sewer easement abandonment: approved conditioned on developer reimbursing roughly $4,268 to the department for half of original easement purchase ($9,194). - SSR Amendment 1 (WORF wet-weather study): approved; amendment amount $56,340. - TTL task order (geotechnical services for wet-weather construction): approved; amount $89,108. - SSR emergent contaminant GAC pilot: approved subject to legal approval as to form; pilot cost $235,541.

Board discussion and context: Presenters emphasized reduced runoff and long-term water-quality benefits for projects that shift impervious surface to permeable systems and described the GAC pilot as a near-term test to determine whether different GAC media or ion-exchange approaches will be required to remove PFOS. Legal counsel said contract language is being refined because of crossover with existing litigation.

Next steps: Staff said the valve-replacement and other informational projects will return as formal bids or requests for approval where required, and legal review will be completed for the GAC pilot contract before final execution.