Coos Bay awards Ballard Marine emergency contract to repair wastewater outfall to preserve mixing zone

The Coos Bay City Council approved an emergency contract with Ballard Marine to perform interim repairs on Plant 2’s wastewater‑treatment outfall after engineering inspections showed significant diffuser deficiencies.

Jennifer, presenting the background, said the existing outfall was originally constructed in 1973 and extended in 1990. An outfall inspection submitted to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) showed deficiencies in diffusers that could eliminate the mixing zone used to dilute treated effluent. DEQ had advised the city that if the mixing zone is not present it might impose more stringent effluent limits and testing requirements.

Jacobs (the consulting engineer) recommended an interim repair that would restore sufficient mixing for the permit renewal process and avoid costly chemical and testing requirements. Ballard Marine, a marine contractor with prior local work, provided cost estimates between $80,000 and $100,000. Staff recommended a direct award under the emergency‑contract provisions (public contracting resolution) because underwater construction is specialized and the in‑water work window expires in February.

Council approved the emergency contract award to Ballard Marine with a 15% contingency for a total not to exceed $115,000. Staff said the interim repair is not intended as the long‑term solution; the city will continue design work on a permanent outfall (planned during the next five‑year cycle) and pursue value engineering to reduce final costs.

What’s next: Ballard Marine will perform the in‑water interim repair by mid‑February to meet regulatory windows; Jacobs will continue final outfall design and coordinate with DEQ on permitting and the five‑year replacement timeline.