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Taneytown to replace Well No. 9 carbon filters after contaminant breakthrough; staff recommends Evoqua contract
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Summary
City staff reported breakthrough of PCE in Well No. 927s granular activated carbon filters and recommended using Evoqua Water Technologies for a faster, plug-and-play replacement rather than a full competitive bid; staff said downtime should be 2–3 days.
City staff told the Taneytown council on April 8 that granular activated carbon (GAC) filters at Well No. 9 have experienced a "breakthrough" for PCE (a solvent contaminant) and need replacement. The city manager said the system was furnished and designed by Evoqua Water Technologies and that using Evoqua27s proprietary vessels would allow a quicker, plug‑and‑play replacement than issuing a bid and fitting third‑party components.
Staff said the expected downtime for the well during filter replacement is limited, estimating the system could be down "no more than 2 to 3 days." Council members asked whether the filters were at the end of their life expectancy and whether the replacement work should be paired with PFAS testing or deeper well exploration; staff said GAC filters also capture PFAS compounds and that filter life depends on pumping rate and local conditions.
Procurement note: Because the recommendation to use Evoqua exceeds the town27s typical bid threshold, staff said they would place a memo in the meeting minutes to document the decision not to bid and would seek authorization for the mayor to sign the purchase order and contract so the work can proceed quickly to minimize downtime.
