Oxnard committee backs $780,227 purchase of Vaccon sewer-cleaning truck to maintain sewer lines

On Jan. 28 the Public Works & Transportation Committee recommended that the City Council approve a purchase order with Municipal Maintenance Equipment (MME) in an amount not to exceed $780,227 for a Vaccon sewer-cleaning vehicle on a Freightliner chassis for the wastewater division. The motion passed 3–0.

Jan Hauser, wastewater division manager, described the vehicle’s role in cleaning the city’s more than 400 miles of gravity sewer lines. He said crews aim to clean about 200 miles a year so that each sewer is cleaned roughly every two years and that the wastewater division operates three of these purpose-built vehicles. The oldest vehicle has spent increasing time out of service, prompting a replacement, Hauser said.

"These vehicles don't run a lot of miles; they're typically on site and running while cleaning," Hauser said, noting that the vehicle in question had some 63,000 in-service miles — a high figure for equipment that mostly operates in place. He said the expected useful life is at least 10 years with regular maintenance.

Assistant public works staff and the city’s procurement lead described the Sourcewell cooperative purchase vehicle used for the procurement and said it yields efficiencies and discounts of roughly 10 percent for members. Staff also said portions of the price increase versus prior estimates relate to improved on-board equipment and safety features.

Committee members praised the wastewater crew’s record on preventing sanitary sewer overflows and singled out crew leader Ray Trevino for recognition. The committee recommended the purchase to the City Council for final approval.