Funding and budget info last updated August 2021

August

Highlights:

• Construction of Ground Storage Tank (GST) has been completed.
• All Welds have been X-Rayed and passed 3rd party inspections.
• The GST has been sandblasted and final paint has been completed.
• All concrete flatwork has been poured and completed throughout site.
• Discharge header has been replaced and new water service has been established to control building.
• All piping has been pressure washed, cleaned and recoated with light blue paint per CH. 290 of TCEQ Regulations.
• GST exterior ladder anti climb cage has been installed.
• Water samples have been taken and passed inspections from Water Production and Plant is in full operation.
• Gas service has been established and generator start up and training has taken place.
• Site grading throughout site has taken place and all exposed soil has been Hydro mulched
• Substantial walk through took place July 28, 2021.
• Punch list items were all small details and have been completed already.
• Balancing Change Order adding $17,525 for additional work pending to close out the project.

Upcoming Work Items:

• Final acceptance is based on acceptance of hydro-mulch sprouting.
• Close out documents will be completed by August 31,2021.

Read August Memo

March

Highlights:

• Contractor continues construction of proposed 400,000-gallon Welded Ground Storage Tank (GST)
• Contractor has completed installation of four (4) duct bank runs connecting the exterior control building with the pre-existing tank and exterior booster pump station.
• Electricity has been reestablished at the facility in preparation in order to test pumps and control building operation.
• Painters arrived onsite March 22, 2021 to begin painting the new Welded Ground Storage Tank.
• The control room is operational, and the existing tank is being brought back on-line in order to resume partial plant operations.

Upcoming Work Items:

• Pipe crew will arrive after completion of painting the GST and complete all connections to pre-existing tank.
• After paint and pipe connection predecessor activities, contractor will begin final site work such as paving and sidewalk installation.
• Water samples will be collected prior to opening the system for operation.

Read March Memo

January

Highlights:

• Existing bolted steel ground storage tank has been removed.
• Two existing hydro-tanks have been removed.
• Gas line underground has been run to generator pad.
• Electrical underground has been run to generator pad.
• Generator pad has been poured and generator has been installed.
• All electrical components in control room have been demoed.
• New electrical systems and control panels have been installed.
• Underground electrical duct banks have been installed and encased in concrete.

  
  

Construction activities have uncovered several operational issues affecting plant operations:

• The PLC was not working due to a bad power supply. The project will be replacing the power supply to make the plant operational.
• The tank ring foundation had to be moved to avoid an existing underground gas line which has been determined to be incorrectly located outside of the utility easement. Staff are working with CenterPoint Gas to move their trunk line inside their easement. To keep the project moving forward the project was able to shift the tank over to avoid the gas line and not affect the project.
• One of the 12” water main butterfly valves feeding the plant was non-functioning and must be replaced in order to isolate the plant.

Upcoming Work Items:

• All Electrical conduit and supply conductors will be run into control room.
• The re-located foundation of the ground storage tank will be poured.
• The construction of the ground storage tank will begin.
• The control room will be operational, and the existing tank will be brought back on line in order to resume partial plant operations.

Read January 2021 memo

April

• Purpose
  • The Southdown Ground Storage Tank project (GST) includes the removal and replacement of an existing 140,000 gallon bolted steel tank and associated yard piping, permanent removal  of two existing hydro-pneumatic pressure tanks, the installation of a new 400,000 gallon welded steel ground storage tank, variable frequency drives (VFD) on existing booster pumps, piping modifications and upgrades to the electrical system.

• Background
  • Working from a single GST, the demand on the plant routinely exceeds the storage capacity draining the tank and forcing booster pumps at the FM521 plant to run to augment the pump station;s well production.  Replacing the bolted steel tank with a new 400,000 gallon tank addresses the current demand of nearly 1 million gallons per day daily demand from this plant.  With the additional storage the plant can meet the local daily demand and reduce pumping from the FM521 plant during peak demands.

April 2020 memo

January

• Highlights
  • Operation history has shown that this plant requires additional ground storage.
  • As per the project schedule, staff received 90% design plans, specifications and opinion of probable construction costs on December 9, 2019.
  • The Engineer's Opinion of Probable cost at 90% indicates the project is within budget at this time.

• Upcoming Work Items
  • Review of City and TCEQ comments and incorporate in bid ready plan set.
  • Finalize project specifications and opinion of probable construction costs estimate
  • Prepare Notice to Bidders and list of bid items.
  • Conduct a Pre-Bid Conference for potential bidders.

January 2020 memo

October

• Highlights
  • Extended Period Simulation (EPS) Water Modeling, performed on the entire city-wide distribution system, has been used to determine peak demand pump requirements and operational parameters for this booster pump station.
  • Operational history has shown that this plant's operation requires additional ground storage.
  • In preparation of the removal of the existing pressure tanks, routine material testing identified low levels of controlled materials requiring special precautions by contractors during scoped demolition work.
  • Coordination with CenterPoint Energy to provide gas service for proposed generator has been completed.
  • Topographic surveying was concluded locating underground utilities within work areas prior to excavation.
  • Staff comments from Public WOrks and Engineering were returned to the design consultant October 15, 2019.

•  Upcoming Work Items
  • Ongoing Geotechnical draft report anticipated in November, required for tank soil foundation.
  • Consultant to review COP 60% plan comments and make design modifications for 90% plans and specifications.
  • 90% construction drawings and specifications anticipated December 10, 2019.

October 2020 Memo

March

• Award
  • KIT Professional Inc. was selected as the most qualified firm
  • Staff will present the proposal to Council at the March 25th Council meeting and recommend an approval and award of the contract for Professional Engineering Services to KIT Professionals. Inc. 
    • Amount: $285,105.
• Scope
  • The original CIP scope included the removal and replacement of the ground storage tank (GST) with a lower capacity unit, however, as a result of the updated water model, the scope was revised to increase the GST size to a larger tank to accommodate peak demands.
    • This is due to the modifications to existing pumps and the electrical system that are required to modify plant operations for compatibility with the future surface water delivery and the distribution systems ability to meet the water peak day demand. The project budget is being modified in the mid-year budget adjustments to accommodate these requirements.

March 2019 memo