Council approves irrigation, well-design and water-connection projects totaling infrastructure upgrades

Council approved several infrastructure projects affecting water and sewer systems aimed at redundancy, regulatory compliance and improved distribution.

Public Works Director Kevin explained that changes tied to new DQ discharge rules require additional irrigation capacity for the sewer-treatment plant; Pacific Ag submitted the only responsive bid. Staff initially presented a project cost of $27,210.43 but moved a motion authorizing purchase "in the amount not to exceed $47,210.43," which council approved unanimously.

Separately, staff sought authorization to contract HBH Engineering to design the Alderdale Well; the design contract was listed at $251,200 to be funded from the water capital fund and from a $1 million grant the city received for the well. Kevin said the full well construction likely will total between $1.3 million and $1.4 million and that additional funds will be sought when the design advances.

The council also approved a project to connect the Third & Cedar well to the water treatment plant to reduce aesthetic dirty-water incidents and allow the well to run in rotation. Kevin described bids for bore, pipe and parts that totaled $116,134.49 and, with a 20% contingency and an estimated asphalt cost, a project total of $184,361.39. Council authorized this project and approved replacing nearby galvanized water lines while the street is opened for the work.

What happens next: design work for the Alderdale well will proceed with HBH; irrigation equipment will be purchased and installed under public-works direction; Third & Cedar connection work will be scheduled and executed with contingency and asphalt work planned as discussed.