06-07-2021 Council Work Session Packet

Home Search

WS – 5 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item No. 5 Date: June 7, 2020 To: City Council From: Rick DeGardner, Public Services Director Michael Grochala, Community Development Director Re: Water Treatment Plant Feasibility Study Background The Minnesota Department of Health recently tested the City’s manganese levels in each of the City’s wells as part of the EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 4 (UCMR4). The water quality testing data from MDH indicates that five of the City’s six wells exceed the maximum recommended manganese level for infants, and three of the wells exceeds the maximum recommend level for adults and children. On March 9, 2020, the City Council authorized the preparation of a Water Treatment Plant feasibility study to evaluate future water treatment options. This study was completed and presented to the City Council on July 6, 2020. The report recommended construction of a conventional gravity filtration system with an initial capacity of 6,000 gallons per minute (gpm). The next steps identified included completion of the utility rate study and a water treatment pilot study. The Utility Rate Study was completed by Baker Tilly and accepted by the City Council on May 10, 2021. Staff is now proposing to move forward with the water treatment pilot study. This study is the first step to verify the effectiveness of the full scale treatment process. The purpose of the study is to provide the City with critical information that is required to design and size a water treatment plant to address the high manganese iron levels in its drinking water. If authorized, the study would be completed by the end of the year. WSB has provided a proposal with a not to exceed cost of $26,400. Funding will be provided from the Trunk Utility Area and Unit Fund. Requested Council Direction Staff is requesting City Council direction to place the WSB proposal for consideration at the June 14, 2021 City Council meeting. Attachments 1. WSB Pilot Study Proposal