PUC approves multi‑year wastewater‑chemical contracts for GWA tied to EPA/court treatment requirements

The Guam Public Utilities Commission reviewed and approved petitions from Guam Waterworks Authority to enter multi‑year contracts for wastewater‑treatment chemicals, including cationic polymers and inorganic coagulants and flocculants, that staff said are required for chemically enhanced primary or secondary treatment at the Hagåtña (Northern District) plant under EPA and court orders.

Staff presented procurement summaries saying multiple bids were received and that JMI Edison (and related vendors identified in the record) were judged responsive and responsible. Contract cost examples cited in the record include a line item of $531,191.90 for a multi‑year purchase and other multi‑year totals and option‑year estimates; combined five‑year totals for some lines were reported in the transcript in the low six‑hundreds of thousands depending on the options exercised. The CCU previously authorized these purchases at its February meeting, and the PUC voted to approve the petitions as presented.

Commissioners asked operational and procurement questions about product interchangeability between vendors, escalation clauses that allow price increases, and the ability to re‑seek bids should different chemicals prove preferable in later years. Staff said contracts include option years and that future procurement rounds remain possible if alternative products are found to be more effective or economical.

The commission’s recorded action was to approve the docket (identified in the transcript references as a GWA docket number in the 2600s); the meeting transcript records the motion, a second, and an affirmative vote to carry the item.