Filtration installed; council weighs ordering carbon and building protective enclosure at water plant

Engineers and borough staff reported that pre-work on Brooklawn’s new water-filtration system is complete and the filtration equipment is installed, shaving about a month off the original schedule. Staff recommended ordering activated carbon now and building an insulated protective structure — described as a small pole barn — to prevent frost damage to valves and piping and to improve worker safety during maintenance.

John (engineer) and consulting staff said the carbon supplier’s lead time is roughly 30 days; placing the order now would allow delivery and sanitizing work in time to meet a March operational target. Staff briefed council on options to build a modest insulated enclosure on the existing pad, which would also provide security and reduce ongoing maintenance exposure. The project’s overall cost was discussed in the context of a $1.6 million treatment contract and an approximately $320,000 contingency; staff explored using remaining contingency funding to cover the enclosure if permitted by the contract and USDA requirements.

Council asked staff to prepare bid specifications so the borough can go to bid quickly if contract change orders are not permitted; staff said the enclosure might be within the existing contract or may require a separate bid depending on final scope. Council directed staff to continue coordination with the contractor and USDA and to be prepared to authorize an expedited contract or an emergency procurement if necessary to keep the schedule.

Next steps: staff will place the carbon order, finalize drawings/specs for a protective enclosure and either issue a bid or pursue a contract change order depending on contractor capacity and USDA approvals.