Ferndale Council approves $1.08 million in water/sewer equipment purchases to reduce contractor reliance
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Summary
The council approved purchase of a Q's HD sewer CCTV inspection truck ($398,407) and a Vactor 2100i combination sewer cleaner ($684,265) to expand in‑house maintenance capacity, integrate inspection video into GIS and reduce emergency contract costs, city staff said.
Ferndale — The City Council approved two major water‑and‑sewer capital purchases intended to expand in‑house maintenance capacity and reduce reliance on emergency contractors: a Q's HD sewer CCTV inspection truck and a Vactor 2100i combination sewer cleaner.
DPW staff described the CCTV truck (recommended vendor Emtek under a cooperative contract) as a purpose‑built HD mainline inspection system that will allow programmed inspections, faster defect identification and integration of inspection video with GIS. The total price for the camera/truck package was $398,407, staff said; the unit replaces aging equipment that staff described as a DIY setup nearing the end of its useful life.
Council also authorized purchase of a Vactor 2100i combination sewer cleaner from McQueen Equipment for $684,265 under a state cooperative contract. Staff said the Vactor is used for sewer cleaning, catch basin maintenance, hydro‑excavation (including lead service‑line verifications) and emergency water repairs, and that having a second unit expands capacity for concurrent work and emergency response.
DPW explained the buys in budget context: water and sewer appropriations include capital for fleet replacement in the 2027 CIP and staff said the purchases reduce long‑term contract expenditures for CCTV and cleaning cycles. Officials noted opportunities for shared service borrowing in emergencies but said routine sharing is difficult because neighboring cities often need the same equipment seasonally.
Council members asked about alternatives such as leasing, interlocal agreements and total cost of ownership; staff agreed to provide more detailed lifecycle cost figures and to explore interlocal cost‑sharing options.
What’s next: Equipment delivery timelines were estimated at several months; staff said the CCTV truck and Vactor align with FY27 capital planning and will be integrated into a multi‑year inspection and maintenance program.
