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Council approves $31,500 vent fabrication after engineer warns of reservoir risk
Summary
Lowell council approved hiring Custom Design Sheet Metal to fabricate four stainless-steel vents for the Shephard reservoir at a cost not to exceed $31,500 after staff and an engineer said undersized vents could create a vacuum and risk structural failure and contamination.
Lowell’s city council on a unanimous vote approved contracting Custom Design Sheet Metal to fabricate four replacement vents for the Shephard reservoir at a cost not to exceed $31,500, after staff and a city engineer described a potential public‑health risk from undersized venting.
City staff said the reservoir originally had four 6‑inch vents matched to a single 8‑inch connection; when a 12‑inch water main was installed decades ago the vents were never upgraded. Mike (city manager) told the council the discrepancy was identified during an Eagle sanitary survey and that, in a worst‑case failure of the water main, the undersized vents could allow an internal vacuum that might trigger structural collapse and allow biological contamination into the drinking‑water supply.
"If it does happen one time, we can lose a reservoir worth quite a few millions of dollars," Ralph Breen, the staff engineer who designed the vents, said. He said the new assembly addresses undersized vent area, adds a stainless steel riser to meet a minimum 24‑inch height, and includes a double‑acting screened door to avoid winter freeze‑related clogging.
Bids were solicited and staff presented three quotes: a low bid from GR Central Iron & Steel, a mid bid from Custom Design Sheet Metal (recommended), and a higher bid from a third vendor. Mike said staff is not recommending the low bidder because of concerns about whether the vents would be manufactured to the standards required for a drinking‑water application.
Ralph described a planned hydrostatic pressure test that will be performed at the fabricator and witnessed by city staff and engineers: "You just cap the ends, you pressurize it, full of water… you're looking for leaks and a pressure drop over amount of time." He said the vent design has been approved by the State of Michigan.
Council members pressed on testing and material details; staff said the prints specify panel gauge and thickness and that the bidders were given strict, apples‑to‑apples specifications. After discussion the council moved and approved the recommended contract by roll call; council members present voted yes.
The contract is an unplanned expenditure staff described as necessary for public‑health protection; staff said the city will use cash reserves to cover the cost. Implementation details — fabrication lead time, delivery, installation schedule and any required follow‑up inspections — were discussed but not finalized at the meeting. The council vote authorizes procurement and directs staff to proceed with testing and installation planning.
