HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/07/1998, C2 - REFURBISHMENT OF THE BELT FILTER PRESS AT THE WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY cbm
council July 7 /1998)J
ac En oa RepoRt Item Humber CIr
C I T Y OF SAN L U I S O B I S P O
FROM: John Moss,Utilities Director
Prepared By: David Hix, W tewater Division Manager
SUBJECT: REFURBISHMENT OF THE BELT FILTER PRESS AT THE WATER
RECLAMATION FACILITY
CAO RECOMMENDATION :
Approve and authorize the City Administrative Officer to waive the competitive purchasing
procedure and execute a purchase order for refurbishing the Belt Filter Press with Textile
Engineering Associates in the amount not to exceed $110,800.00.
DISCUSSION
During wet weather the Water Reclamation Facility's (WRF) ability to dewater biosolids using
drying beds becomes overwhelmed and the facility's Belt Filter Press (BFP) is the only method
of dewatering the WRF's biosolids. The BFP is a critical process responsible for mechanically
dewatering all of the City's biosolids between the months of October through May. Presently the
BFP requires major refurbishing that needs to be performed during the dry season of May
through September. During the last several years the BFP has required an ever increasing
amount of maintenance and replacement parts to safely and efficiently operate.
This repair work was planned as a second phase to the biosolids dewatering facility construction
project, which was completed in 1997. The BFP was purchased used and is now scheduled for a
complete overhaul. A detailed inspection has revealed a variety of worn parts, adjustment
problems and corrosion conditions that will require correction at a manufacturer's certified
maintenance facility.
Textile Engineering Associates is a manufacturer's authorized service facility for the City's BFP.
Textile engineering has extensive experience with the manufacturer and this model of the BFP
and can refurbish it to almost new condition. Because Textile Engineering is the only factory
authorized service facility in the Western United States for this specific type of equipment and is
very familiar with the City's BFP and offers excellent service, staff recommends waiving the
competitive purchasing process for the requested contracted services. Textile Engineering is also
very sensitive to the City's time table and have guaranteed the BFP be back in service before the
wet season begins.
FISCAL IMPACT
Total cost for removal, shipping,refurbishment and reinstallation of the BFP is $110,800. A total
of$97,800 was approved for this project in the Water Reclamation Facility major equipment
maintenance account in the 1997-98 Financial Plan, Appendix B, Capital Improvement Plan
Council Agenda Report—Belt Filter Press Refurbish
Page 2
Projects, pg. 7475. Additional funding for this project ($13,000) can be transferred from the
same account which currently has a total of$718,200 to fund this and other approved projects. If
this transfer of additional funds should result in a lack of budget for any other of the identified
projects, those projects will be deferred until they can be rebudgeted and presented for approval
in the 1999-01 Financial Plan.
Project Costs and Funding Sources for Refurbishment of the Belt Filter Press
Project Costs Account Number 1998-99
From
WRF Major Equipment Maintenance-CIP No.9639
Construction 520.9639.512.553 $36,000
Equipment 520.9639.512.556 $74,800
To
Belt Filter Press Overhaul-CIP No. 9224
Construction 520.9224.512.553 $110,800
ALTERNATIVES
1. Take no action. This alternative is not recommended. Failure to refurbish the BFP will
result in complete failure leaving the WRF no way to dewater biosolids. This would result in
expensive hauling of liquid wastes, discharge and/or permit violations and possible fines
from the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
2. Purchase a new belt filter press instead of rebuilding the existing one. This alternative is not
recommended. Although the City's BFP is an older press, it is a high quality, relatively low
maintenance, efficient model. Purchase of a new press would cost more and modifications to
the building where a new press would be housed would be very costly. Operations and
maintenance staff are very familiar with the existing press which would allow seamless
operation and maintenance when the existing BFP returns from refurbishment.
ATTACHMENTS
Proposal (Council Reading File)
C -o2 —o?,