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City begins master water-plan procurement; staff say bids range from $1 million to $1.6 million
Summary
Project manager Erin Patterson told the council the city solicited proposals for a master water plan covering freshwater and wastewater systems; four bids were received (HDR, CEM, Burns & McDonnell, Freese and Nichols) and are under evaluation, with work slated to start in March and run through December.
Erin Patterson, project manager in the utilities department, updated the Hutchinson City Council on Feb. 4 about the city’s planned master water plan, which will analyze freshwater and sanitary systems, capacity, future permitting, water reuse and long-term capital improvement planning.
“We’re gonna be looking at all of our freshwater and our wastewater systems,” Patterson said, describing objectives that include system reliability, growth planning and financial strategies. She said the work will produce short- and long-term capital improvement plans, emergency-preparedness recommendations, and a rate study to assess financial impacts.
Patterson said the city publicly advertised a request for proposals and received four bids from HDR, CEM, Burns & McDonnell and Freese and Nichols. The pricing bids received ranged from $1,000,000 to $1,600,000, she said; the prices reflect bids prior to scope finalization. The city plans to interview bidders over the next two weeks and provide a recommendation to the city manager by Feb. 28, with staff proposing a March start and completion by December.
Patterson noted that some projects previously planned for the capital-improvement program—such as a facilities review and a relining of Water Tower Number 4—were being folded into the master plan or delayed so planning dollars can cover a comprehensive study. She said the city will include a rate-study component and examine funding options including grants and loans.
Council members asked whether the plan would cover water-line replacements; staff said the study will help prioritize phasing and that much work remains to determine the pace of capital replacements and rate impacts.
No formal contract was awarded at the Feb. 4 meeting; staff will complete bidder interviews and bring a recommendation through the city manager and back to council for approval as required.
