Below is the Budget and Funding Information pertaining to this project.  Last Updated November 2022

                                                                      February

Highlights:

The activities of Loops 1 and 2 were completed using raw water from the canal and returning that water to the canal. This tested out the Raw Water Pumps, vertical screens, raw water piping and portions of the Pre-Treatment structure and chemical treatment equipment

• Loop 3: Loop 3 used settled water generated in Loop 4 to flush the membrane supply piping and then to test membrane rack functions without the membranes installed. This testing exercised all the functions of the membrane racks and associated equipment without jeopardizing the membranes themselves, including all three versions of membrane cleaning and the cleaning chemical systems and tanks. Loop 3 testing recycled the water back through the process water handling system to test functionality.
• Loop 4: Loop 4 introduced coagulant through the static mixers upstream of Pre-Treatment to produce settled water. The process produced sludge allowing the CMAR to test the solids handling and removal systems. The settled canal water was then cycled back to the GCWA canal. Once settled water reached less than 2 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) it was used to flush the necessary Loop 3 lines.
• Loop 5: This loop is now scheduled to be completed in February 2024, and the Finished Water storage/disposal loop. The membrane modules will be installed in late January/early February and will go through performance testing and cleaning checks in this Loop. The manufacture will begin proving the system meets chemical and energy performance requirements in compliance with the specifications. At this point the plant is making potable water. Once the water meets drinking water quality standards, it will be stored in the GST and used to flush the transmission lines. Once all three racks are in production, the plant will be making about 3 to 4 million gallons during an 8-to-10-hour operational day and water that cannot be stored or used in flushing will be released into Mustang Bayou.  

Once the plant water quality has been accepted by TCEQ as meeting drinking water quality standards the project will produce water for final introduction into the distribution system. This is scheduled for late March 2024.

This schedule represents the evolving start up process and is subject to delays as equipment operation is refined and fine-tuned and problems encountered are resolved. The Water into the System date presented above is a conservative estimate of receipt of TCEQ’s final approval of the plant and the water quality.

Read February Memo

                                                                     September

Highlights:

The activities of Loops 1 and 2 were completed using raw water from the canal and returning that water to the canal. This tested out the Raw Water Pumps, vertical screens, raw water piping and portions of the Pre-Treatment structure and equipment.

• Loop 3: Loop 3 will use settled water, generated in Loop 4, to flush the membrane supply piping and begin to test membrane rack functions, without the membranes installed. This test will exercise all the functions of the membrane racks and associated equipment without jeopardizing the membranes themselves, including all three versions of membrane cleaning, the cleaning chemical systems and tanks, and the GAC backwash system. This loop was scheduled to begin in the beginning of September but was slightly delayed by the installation of the Compressed Air System piping (material delays) and the membrane manufacture’s technician availability. Loop 3 testing will also return water to the canal after flushing the downstream piping. Loop 3 represents the largest hurdle to surmount prior to making drinking water, as it will also include testing backwash processes, the GAC vessels, and their cycles, as well as the plant water loop and its pumps and SCADA controls of all these systems.
• Loop 4: This Loop, which was completed in early September, introduced coagulant through the static mixers upstream of Pre-Treatment to produce settled water. The process produced sludge allowing the CMAR to begin testing the solids handling and removal systems. The settled canal water was then cycled back to the GCWA canal. Once settled water reached the sustained required 2 Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) or less it can be used in the Loop 3 process to flush the membrane system piping, but not the membranes themselves. Upon reaching the turbidity goal and with the piping system flushed of all construction debris, the water will be suitable for feeding the membranes. 
• Loop 5: This loop, now scheduled to begin in October 2023, is the finished water storage/disposal loop. Upon completion of the Loop 3, the membrane modules will be installed. The membranes will then undergo performance testing and cleaning checks and the manufacturer will begin proving the system meets chemical and energy performance requirements, in compliance with the specifications. At this point the plant will be producing potable water. Once the water meets drinking water quality, water will be stored in the GST and used to flush the transmission lines. Once all three racks are in production, the plant will be making about 3 to 4 million gallons of water during an 8 to 10 hour operational day, and water that cannot be stored or used in flushing will be de-chlorinated and released into Mustang Bayou. The transmission line flushing process will require several flushes to clean the lines of construction debris and obtain clear biological tests. This water will be distributed from the Surface Water Plant to the receiving plants at Kirby and Shadow Creek (FM521). The flushing process will require dechlorination at the receiving plants and then spilling out to drainage systems. The flushing process provides the opportunity to adjust plant processes to fine tune water quality while ensuring the transmission lines are free of debris, chlorinated and fully tested. 

Once the plant water quality has been accepted by TCEQ as meeting drinking water quality standards the project will produce water for final introduction into the distribution system. This is scheduled for late September 2023.

This schedule represents the evolving start up process and is subject to delays as equipment operation is refined and fine-tuned and problems encountered are resolved. The Water into the System date presented above is a conservative estimate of receipt of TCEQ’s final approval of the plant and the water quality.

Read September Memo

 June

Highlights:

The activities of Loops 1 and 2 were completed using raw water from the canal and returning that water to the canal. This tested out the Raw Water Pumps, vertical screens, raw water piping and portions of the Pre-Treatment structure and equipment.

• Loop 3: Loop 3 will flush the membrane supply piping and then begin to test membrane rack functions without the membranes installed. This test will exercise all the functions of the membrane racks and associated equipment without jeopardizing the membranes themselves, including all three versions of membrane cleaning, the cleaning chemical systems and tanks, and the GAC backwash system. This loop is now scheduled to begin in July and has been delayed by the installation of the Compressed Air System piping (material delays) and the lack of availability from H2O Innovations startup and commissioning staff. H2O authorized the CMAR to use settled water for Loop 3 testing instead of the planned well water making the process slightly less complicated. The CMAR has evaluated the benefits of using settled water for this activity and the changes to the testing procedures for this water source. The CMAR has developed flushing plans for using settled water during Loop 3 testing and will return flushed water to the canal. Loop 3 represents the largest hurdle to surmount prior to actually making drinking water. As it will also include testing backwash processes, the GAC Absorbers and their cycles as well as the plant water loop and its pumps and SCADA controls of all of these systems.
• Loop 4: This Loop, now scheduled to run in conjunction with Loop 3, will introduce flocculation chemicals through the static mixers upstream of Pre-Treatment to produce settled water. The process will produce sludge allowing the CMAR to begin testing the solids handling and removal systems. The settled canal water will then be cycled back to the GCWA canal until it reaches the required 2 Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) or less. Regular reporting to TCEQ for acceptance of the Pre-Treatment can begin once this value is achieved and sustained. TCEQ acceptance can take up to 60 days for paperwork to catch up with activities. For this reason, once that value is achieved and testing confirms compliance, the water will be suitable for feeding the membranes allowing the plant to make clean water. Once meeting turbidity targets, settled water will be used to flush Loop 3 lines in advance of Loop 3 testing.
• Loop 5: This loop, now scheduled to begin in August 2023, is the Finished Water storage/disposal loop. Upon completion of the clean water membrane flow and cleaning tests and approval of the Pre-Treatment unit’s settled water quality, the membrane manufacturer will approve the introduction of Settled Water to the Membranes. The membranes will then undergo performance testing and cleaning checks and the manufacture will begin proving the system meets chemical and energy performance requirements in compliance with the specifications. At this point the plant is making Clean Water. Once the water meets drinking water quality it will be stored in the GST and used to flush the transmission lines. Once all three racks are in production, the plant will be making about 3 to 4 million gallons during an 8 to 10 hour operational day and water that cannot be stored or used in flushing will be de-chlorinated and released into Mustang Bayou. The transmission line flushing process will require several flushes to clean the lines of construction debris and obtain clear biological tests. This water will be pushed from the Surface Water Plant to the receiving plants at Kirby and Shadow Creek (FM521). The flushing process will require dichlorination at the receiving plants and then spilling out to drainage systems prompting the need to notify the public that this is a purposeful activity and not a leak. The City has begun purchasing the full 10 MGD of water from GCWA. The flushing process provides the opportunity to adjust plant processes to fine tune water quality while ensuring the transmission lines are free of debris, chlorinated and fully tested. 

Once the plant water quality has been accepted by TCEQ as meeting drinking water quality standards the project will produce water for final introduction into the distribution system. This is scheduled for late September 2023.

This schedule represents the evolving start up process and is subject to delays as equipment operation is refined and fine-tuned and problems encountered are resolved. The Water into the System date presented above is a conservative estimate of receipt of TCEQ’s final approval of the plant and the water quality.

Read June Memo

November

Highlights:

The planning for a phased plant start-up is complete with some minor modifications to the plan since the last report. The activities of Loops 1 and 2 have been consolidated and will begin with raw water from the canal. This makes efficient use of the time and materials required and eliminates the need for some temporary piping and allows for immediate testing of the raw water pumps and vertical screens as well as static mixers, flocculation mixers and the plate settlers all at one time. These operational tests provide the opportunity for hands-on operator training for the pumps, screens, flow meters and flow controls as well as SCADA operation of the units. The consolidation of Loops 1 and 2 allows the entire process to shift later into the schedule. The effort has been rescheduled to December allow GCWA to install the canal gates in the raw water bay in late November. The former Loop 2 activities are included to commission the solids handling units including the sludge splitter, gravity thickener, wash water recovery and belt presses to remove the solids that are generated in pretreatment. This allows the testing and adjustment of the water recycle/ recovery system and solids removal processes which will require the ability to inject sludge thickening polymers and testing of the Belt Presses. This broadens the training opportunities for Operational staff and the Lab Tech.

Read November Memo

September 

Highlights:

This memo provides information about the progress on the Surface Water Plant project’s current financial and schedule status. This memo also contains a detailed description of the forthcoming start up process. The project remains in budget, but the schedule continues to be impacted by supply chain issues. With the recent receipt of several critical electrical components portions of the work schedule have improved. The most recent projected completion date (Water into the System) remains estimated for June 2023 with completion of the final construction activities estimated for October 2023.

Read September Memo

July 

Highlights:

This memo provides information about the progress on the Surface Water Plant project’s current financial and schedule status. The project remains in budget, but the schedule has been impacted by supply chain issues. With partial delivery of long delayed electrical equipment, the schedule has improved. The latest expected completion date (Water into the System) is changing and is revising in a positive direction and is now estimated to be June 2023 with final completion of construction activities in October 2023.

Read July Memo

 May

Highlights:

The project entails the design and construction of a 10 million gallon per day (MGD) surface water treatment plant to supplement the City’s drinking water supply to meet the demands of current and future population growth. The work includes the construction of a transmission line system to bring water from the plant north along Kingsley (CR48) to Broadway and from there to the Kirby Water Plant to the east and FM521 Water Plant on the west end of town. The work also includes the extension of the City’s fiber network to provide connectivity to a redundant Data Center to be housed in the Plant Operations building. This project is being delivered through a Construction Manager At Risk (CMAR) contract with PLW Waterworks for a total construction cost of $137,075,681.

Upcoming Work Items:

The schedule remains the primary issue of concern for the project as promised electrical equipment, originally scheduled to arrive in February has now been delayed again with delivery scheduled for June 10th by the supplier.

The Main Electrical Switch Gear, furnished under contract with Square D, been reschedule four times:

• The Original ship date was late February 2022, that was delayed to late March due to parts unavailability.

• In mid-March the equipment was re-scheduled April 22nd .
• On April 8th the equipment was pushed to May 17 due to missing parts
• On April 28th the factory stated that the NEW shipment date would be June 3 rd due to the extensive testing required.
• Based on the latest projection the equipment is expected to arrive on June 10th.

Read May Memo

April

Highlights:

This memo provides information about the progress on the Surface Water Plant project’s current status and the forthcoming proposed award of a contract for the plant audio-visual equipment for the Control, Conference, Break and Training/ Meeting Rooms. This equipment is a key component of the human-machine interface for operation of the plant and distribution of the operating data to plant operations Staff. The contract includes the purchase and installation of forward-facing information-technology and behind-the-scenes data processing and communications distribution hardware that makes this functional. Funding for this contract will come from the existing project Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment, (FF&E) budget. Staff are proposing to award the contract to DataVox in the Amount of $172,617.92 on the April 25 Agenda. The project remains within budget, and the expected completion date (Water into the System) is June 2023.

Upcoming Work Items:

Operations and Administration buildings both have interior finishes that are underway. As the project progresses the CMAR will begin to remove portions of the temporary offices and material storage facilities. To complete the potable water line, encircling the plant itself and make the tie in between transmission lines and High Service Pumps, all of these temporary facilities will need to be moved or removed. At this point project staff will move into the permanent buildings and make use of those facilities. This plan has the added benefit of lowering the CMAR’s general conditions costs early. This is a standard practice and the use of the buildings by the CMAR and Construction Team will not relieve the contractor of any of the requirements for acceptance.

Read April Memo

March

Highlights:

This memo provides information about construction progress, scheduling challenges and details regarding a forthcoming Change Order(s) to the CMAR contract for Owner Directed Changes (additions) to the Work totaling $1,078,000. This is within budget and represents costs expended to take advantage of significant savings opportunities as well as complying with changed windstorm requirements. Although information of these change orders has been previously reported they will be discussed here in detail and costs have been finalized. The Change Orders are scheduled for presentation to Council on the March 28 Agenda.

2021

November

Highlights:

Construction Phase Services Impacts
The delay to the construction schedule from these issues is requiring the extension of the Construction Phase Services (CPS) portions for several of the Engineering contracts. This is particularly acute with the Construction Phase Services provided in the Construction Management and Construction Inspection (CM/CI) services provided by the Ardurra Group. The cost of CM/CI services are based on the time it takes to complete a project. The supply chain issues that are delaying portions of the work do not stop the need for the continued presence of CM/CI personnel. Instead the supply chain issues impact the ability of the Contractor to prosecute work items concurrently extending the time required to complete affected components delaying the overall project completion of the work and extending the time required for CM/CI services on site. These CM/CI efforts required for the longer construction duration will require contract amendments to add man/hours for these services. Additionally, the Construction Phase Services for the design engineering firms Stantec and CDM will require amendments for the additional efforts to review alternative materials and supplies to help mitigate the supply chain impacts and for the extended time on the project due to delays. A final area where additional Construction Inspection hours are required is to complete the pipeline work outside the plant site simultaneously with work inside the fence. This work was originally contemplated to be handled by a combination of consultant inspectors within the existing contracts and City inspectors. Due to the current work sequencing that has been impacted by the delayed inspection activities will require additional short term contracted personnel to inspect the work.

Next Steps
Delays to the construction and completion schedule is not the only or even an isolated impact to the project. The delays mean that engineering consultant contracts for construction phase services, originally based on the construction completion schedule in late 2022 and water introduction in early 2023 will need to be extended. Package 1 engineering should be complete by the end of this year leaving Packages 2 with CDM (the Plant and SCADA) and 3 with Stantec (the transmission lines and High Service Pump Building) most likely to require extensions. At the present time it is likely that the Package 3, Transmission line work will complete in early 2022 if the contractor is able to obtain PVC pipe, leaving only the High Service Pump Building and the public side of the plant in that package. In both cases this should limit additional construction phase engineering effort for packages 1 and 3. Additional services for plant process component start-up, SCADA Control and Monitoring and Construction Management and Inspection will be the Engineering items requiring extended effort to complete the project. Standard processes dictate that a request to extend these contracts will be forthcoming and include the need for a temporary second inspector under the Ardurra contract.

Read November Memo

June

Highlights:

Pre-Construction Contract $1,092,320 Returning $51,503, Actual Cost= $1,040,817

The scope of work included in the Pre-Construction Services for the Project is complete and is being closed out. This contract included $992,320 in pre-Construction Services plus a $100,000 Owner’s Allowance. The $48,497 spent from the Owner’s Allowance included $14,679 for a furnishings consultant contract and $33,818 for an internet-based project surveillance system called OxBlue. This will return $51,503 to the Construction Contract Contingency line item in the contract.

Work on Early Works Package 1 (EWP1) Awarded Feb. 10, 2020 in the amount of $7,479,256
Returning $335,000, Actual Cost = $7,144,256

• Rough excavation of the pond is now complete. More detailed work in the pond, including pilot channels and outfall weir continues as weather allows. The access road to the south area is also being constructed as components of the Balance of Plant.
• Site grading for interim drainage during construction is completed. This allows work force to return to work as soon as rain has stopped and limits additional lost time due to adverse site conditions after rain events.
• Heavy Temporary power circuit is installed and functioning as well as all temporary support facilities including temporary water wells
• Work of this package has been completed on Schedule and In Budget and will be returning $334,000 to the Construction Contingency line item in the contract. These funds will remain in the contract but are now under the Owner’s Contingency requiring the City’s authorization prior to use.

Upcoming Work Items:

• Work will continue on the Pre-Treatment Basin and Chlorine Building
• Foundation work will continue on the De-Watering Building
• Work will continue on the Raw Water Intake lift station and the Filtrate discharge
• Work will continue in the site detention pond outfall construction and constructing access roadway around the east side
• Work will continue on the High Service Pump Building
• Work will continue in the canal with dredging and paving
• Work will continue on the Broadway Transmission line and re-design of the Segment 4 and 5 to accommodate Fort Bend and TxDoT
• Staff will issue a separate design contract for the addition of a second Ground Storage Tank to be built at the Kirby Water Plant.

Read June Memo

March

Highlights:

Work on Early Works Package 1 (EWP1) $7,479,256

• Rough excavation/ fill work site-wide is now largely complete.
• Work continues as weather allows on the excavation of the site detention pond located on the south side of Mustang Bayou.
• The site is graded to meet the sheet flow drainage needs during construction.
• The CMAR’s on-site office, parking, material receiving, and storage requirements are in place and functioning
• Installation of Temporary Electrical is still pending Centerpoint move-in.

Work on Early Works Package 2 (EWP2) $8,571,576 
Consisting of deep foundation work, construction of the ground storage tank and procurement of the Membrane package:

• Deep Foundation work lies within the Solids Processing area and includes the below grade foundations for
  • Sludge Thickener
  • Dewatering basin
  • Wash Water Recycle sump
  • Return Flow Pump sump
  • Auger cast piles below Pre-Treatment Basin are now complete and tested

• Ground Storage Tank (GST) is now complete and in the water testing phase
  • Construction complete and interior and exterior coatings in place
  • City Logo was installed in early January
  • Testing began Jan15th
  • Substantial completion obtained week of January 11. Tank will remain partially filled to continue soil compression.
• Membrane filter system procurement
  • Project team completed a review of all equipment proposals in March 2020.
  • Engineer, CMAR are in the submittal and review process of all shop drawings for the membrane filters and associated equipment.
• Canal Bi-Pass & Cofferdam work has begun in preparation for work to begin on the Raw Water Intake Lift Station. This allows the canal to continue to function while providing a drained basin to install the lower portions of the raw water intake. Once the Intake is complete the levee between the canal and the bi-pass channel will be removed effectively expanding the canal volume in front of the Raw Water Intake. 

Upcoming Work Items

• Work will continue for the foundations below the Pre-Treatment Basin and Chlorine Building
• Foundation work will begin on the De-Watering Building foundations
• Work will begin on the Raw Water Intake lift station
• Work will continue in the site detention pond with outfall construction and wall slope grading
• CMAR will issue his Purchase Orders for specific plant wide pumping equipment, structure for the Membrane building, de-watering equipment, GAC equipment and the generators.
       -Note: Generator equipment winterizing requirements are under review based on lessons learned during the February freeze

   

  Read March Memo

September

Current Status:

Work on portions of the two Early Works Packages began on site almost immediately with large portions of the rough site work and drainage now underway or partially complete.  The Early Works Package has allowed the deep foundation work to be done without the need or cost of expensive shoring.  Progress on the Early Works packages is observable in aerial photos attached in the memo.  The site rough grading and preliminary drainage is in place making the site workable even after heavy rains experienced in late July and early August. 

The CMAR submitted bids to self-perform three packages within the BOP work and was low bidder on two of those: Yard Piping and Membrane and the Chemical and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) facilities.  The third package was the Dewater Deep Structure Equipment package which will ultimately be awarded to the low bidder, an MBE contractor.  In all such cases, the CMAR submitted his bid to the Owner's Representative 24 hours before competitors bids were received.

Next Steps:

As the project moves into the Balance of Project (BOP) Construction Phase, engineering contracts will need to be amended to provide engineering services during construction or "Construction Phase Services".  All three Design Consultants will be needed for the Construction Phase, albeit at different levels of involvement, based on the complexity of earlier design contributions.  Additionally, the Owner's Representative Master Service Agreement contract with Adurra will require the addition of Task 5 for Construction Phase Services.  Construction Phase services were not included in any of the previous Preliminary of Final Design contracts in order to simplify those scope definitions and fee negotiations.

All three Design Consultant Packages will be presented as contract amendments to the existing Final Design Services contracts.  All three Contract Amendments will have very similar scopes of services and will be based on an Hourly Not to Exceed billing.  Scope of work in all three will contain but may not necessarily be limited to:

• Personnel hours for attending on-site progress meetings as well as virtual meetings during construction and occasional site visits to monitor work progress and quality control.
• All three will contain hours for review of material and product submittals,
  • addressing Requests for Information (RFIs).
  • this work will include hours for sub-consultant involvement where the source of design was vested in third parties contracted to the prime consultant.
• Each proposal will also include hours for project completion and assistance during start up services which will include inspections at substantial and final completion for the major components within their respective packages.
• Hourly fees for the creation of record drawings from the CMAR's redlined records.
• Each proposal will include hours for additional services as authorized which will cover hours for
  • unforeseen problem resolutions, additional submittal review and approval work,
  • redesign of work to meet constructability issues, and
  • additional hours for extended startup and commissioning services, if required.

Staff plan to bring all three proposals; Packages 1, 2 & 3, for Construction Phase Services to Council for award at the September 28th meeting.

Read September 2020 memo

April

Current Status:

Selected work items from these packages, unassociated with the actual plant or its final water product, are currently underway on the site.  With work beginning on site it is important to record and demonstrate that any material to be installed meets specifications and conforms with the plans and specifications. This is the purview of the Construction Materials Testing consultant who will conduct a full range of material testing and record keeping throughout the project. On January 16, 2020 Staff conducted a mandatory pre-Proposal meeting in Council Chambers to discuss the details of the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Construction Materials Testing for the Surface Water Plant. The RFQ package contained information regarding the engineering design firms associated with each package, a description of the project and schedule expectations, information regarding funding sources and budget and a description of the materials testing procurement process. Copies of the 60% plans from all three design packages were included to provide specific information as to the scope of services that would be required and the type of environment in which the work would be performed. The RFQ specifically asked for the firm’s information regarding the following:

• Past experience and performance with similar governmental plant type projects
• Experience and quality of Key personnel that would be assigned to the project
• Requested client references form similar past projects
• General information such as Organizational structure, Management, Safety record and Quality Assurance procedures
• The firm’s particular and specific approach to this project and its Q/A- Q/C requirements

On February 6, the City received ten (10) full responses from well-respected local testing firms. The selection committee, consisting of the Staff Project Manager and three members of the Owner’s Representative reviewed qualifications and assigned scores to each category then ranked the responses. A score for interviews was included in the table as a potential tie breaker if qualification scores were too close to justify a clear single selection.  As it turned out interviews were not necessary.  Terracon was selected as most qualified and had recently performed extremely well on the Reflection Bay Water Reclamation Facility (RBWRF) project.

Results of the Selection Committee’s review of Qualification Submittals can be found in the April memo.

Next Steps:

With construction beginning, it is important to get the testing lab on board to follow any field developments and begin their record keeping. Work included in EWP1 will require removal of existing unsuitable soils and replacement with a general fill material that will need to be tested for meeting specifications and then density tested as it is put in place. Upon TWDB’s approval, EWP2 will contain structural concrete as well as several different types of foundations. Soil densities and concrete testing will become mandatory for quality control and project records. For those reasons it is critical to put this contract in place at this time so that material testing records follow every aspect of the CMAR’s work.

The Current schedule has the CMAR beginning to put together the final GMP for the balance of the project. All three design Packages will attain the 90% completion criteria to allow the CMAR to begin that work in earnest by the end of April. Delivery of the final GMP is scheduled for August this year. During this time the final plans from all three Packages will be sealed for review and submitted to City Permit final review, TWDB/ TCEQ for final reviews in May. Comments will be addressed, and final submissions sent back as final project documents shortly thereafter. Once the CMAR has submitted the final GMP and all details resolved, Staff will bring the final GMP to Council for a final authorization for construction of the remaining.

April 2020 Memo

 March

Background and Progress:

Final Design of the project began March2019 with the awards of engineering contracts to CDM-Smithfor (Package 2)and in August to Freese & Nichols (for Package 1) and Stantec Consulting Services (Package 3). A CMAR contract was awarded to PLW Waterworks in April 2019. CDM-Smith submitted 60% plans in October 2019. Staff reviewed those and returned comments in November and CDM has incorporated those and is now well into 90% plan development at this time. Freese & Nichols and Stantec submitted 60% plans in early February. Staff conducted a two-day plan review February 10th and 11th and returned comments that same week. A progress meeting was held February 13 to review progress and clarify Staff comments with all three design firms. Current plan submittal schedule calls for: CDM Smith will submit 90% plans in end-March; Freese & Nichols to submit 90% plans in mid-April and Stantec to submit their 90% plans in mid-April.All three design teams are progressing on schedule and coordinating with the CMAR as well as with Owner directed comments. This schedule supports the objective of securing a final Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) with the 90% plans from the CMAR in the August time frame as discussed in previous updates.While the GMP is being developed (through procurement and bidding of trades) and submitted for award, the project plans will be submitted to Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and the City Building Permits. 100% plans are expected for each of the Packages in October/November after any comments from TCEQ/TWDB and City permits are incorporated. The final plans do not affect the GMP that will be provided and only provide the approvals from the needed agencies.

Recommendation:

On March 23, 2020 Staff plans to submit Amendment #2 (EWP2) to the Construction Manager at Risk contract with PLW Waterworks, LLC for Council approval and authorization and will recommend Council approval of this next step towards a final GMP to implement initial work on site.

March 2020 Memo

 2020 

January

Status:

August 8

• Highlights
  • Pre-Award Notifications
    • Package 1 to Freese & Nichols
    • Package 3 to Stantec
  • Package 1
    • Consists of site work for the design of the Raw Water Intake Structure and Pumping Station and Site Detention
      • April 2017: Preliminary Design contracts awarded to Freese and Nichols
    • Scope: includes a limited preliminary design effort, final design service sfor the Raw Water Intake Pump Station. Will include a bar screen device, automated controls and electrical within the pump station and chemical injection as well as advanced water analytical systems to allow for adequate chemical pre-treatment. Contract now also includes site drainage, outfalls and detention design incorporation City requirements and accommodating Brazoria Drainage District #4’s requirements for additional channel right of way for Mustang Bayou.
  • Package 3
    • Consists of the On-Site work for the Ground Storage Tank (GST), the High Service Pump Station/Administration Building, Wastewater forcemain, Site Security Fencing, Public and Plant Entrances/Drives & Parking and the Off-Site components consisting of the Transmission Pipelines and Connections into existing Water Booster Pump Stations at FM521 and Kirby Drive.
      • April 2018, Stantec received contract for preliminary design services
    • Scope: includes Final Design service for the transmission lines and connections to existing booster pump stations, the High Service Pump Station and Administration Building, Permitting and coordination with County, Drainage District and Gulf Coast Water Authorities, TxDOT, Centerpoint, AT&T and adjacent Municipal Utility Districts. Basic Services for this scope total $2,450,000 and performed as Lump Sum.
  • On August 26^th, Staff plan to bring the Final Design proposals for Package 1 and 3 to Council for approval and award

August 8, 2019 memo. 

August 1

• Highlights
  • Pre-award Notification
    • To Ardurra Group for award of Task 4 of the Master Service Agreement
  • Information on Task Order #4
    • The final anticipated Task Order for the Owner’s Representative (Ardurra Group)
    • Scope of Task 4 includes work items related to design management, CMAR coordination, regulatory interaction and approval, regulatory document development, operational and maintenance procedure development, monitoring and reporting, budgeting, personnel staffing plan, distribution system improvement and uniform stands and specification creation
    • Other tasks and responsibilities to include the Texas Water Development Board Drinking Water State Revolving Fan, Vulnerability Assessment, Health and Safety Plan, Risk Management Plan, Risk Resilience Assessment, Emergency Response Plan, Corrosion Control Study Update, Final Design Activities, Equipment Procurement, Project Management Construction Phase Engineering Scope Definition and Negotiation Assistance, Design Standards Development, Plant Commissioning, Staffing Benchmark Study, On-Call Modeling and Supporting Services, Operational Philosophy and Water Quality Management, Regulatory Coordination and Oversight, and Construction Management for Early-out Work Packages.
  • Next Steps
    • Upon approval and award of this contract, Ardurra will begin work on the TWDB required consultant procurement process.
    • Staff will finalize negotiations for final design contracts with Package 1 and 3
    • Design work and reviews to continue with Package 3
    • Ardurra will provide technical review and coordinate with CMAR in coordination with TCEQ and TWDB

August 1, 2019 memo.

March

• Highlights
  • Progress on SWTP project
    • Preliminary design work has been completed on package 1 and 2 and final reports submitted
    • Package 1
      • Negotiations for Final Design services in progress for Pre-sedimentation Basic and Low Lift Pump station.
      • Planned to be ready for presentation late April or early May
    • Package 3
      • Amended to review and alternative route for the transmission lines to avoid placing infrastructure along the narrow Magnolia Parkway Right of Way between CR 48 and Kirby Drive. Contract for Final Design services planned to be ready for Council consideration in May
      • The Scope of the contract includes Final Design service for the transmission lines and connections to existing booster pump stations, the High Service Pump Station and Administration Building, Permitting and coordination with County, Drainage District and Gulf Coast Water Authorities, TxDOT, Centerpoint, AT&T and adjacent Municipal Utility Districts.
      • Basic Services for this scope total $2,450,000 and performed as Lump Sum.
    • Additional Pre-Award information for Contract for Final Design Services for Package 3
    • Total cost: $450,000
  • CMAR
    • Pepper Lawson Waterworks to receive contract for Pre-Construction Services
      • Amount of $992,000 plus an Ownder’s Allowance of $100,000 totaling $1,092,000
  • Award
    • Staff will recommend Council award the contract for Final Design services for Package 3 to Stantec Consulting Services

       

• Next Steps
  • Design efforts will begin immediately upon award
  • Design schedule anticipates 60% plans complete by November 2019 and 90% plans complete by the end of February 2020.
  • During the above time, CMAR will interface with CDM, Freese and Nichols, and Stantec on cost estimating, perfecting construction cost control/efficiency, and ensuring constructability.

March 2019 memo.       

February

• Highlights
  • CMAR
    • January 2019 – Staff published the Request for Qualifications & Proposal for Construction Manager at Risk.
      • CMAR to be selected on basis of experiences, qualifications and proposed fees
      • Two proposals received and process of evaluating and ranking firms in process
  • Final Design Contact for Package 2
    • Final design contract will include
      • Preparation of construction documents (plans and specifications) for the construction of the treatment plant package.
      • Project management; establish and manage the processes and protocols to execute the work, including schedule compliance, communications with sub-consultants and Owner’s Rep as well as designers for Packages 1 and 3, document management, coordination of specifications, tracking action items and deliverables, and coordination with the CMAR, including monthly meetings and program coordination meetings.
      • Quality Assurance and Quality Control with internal senior engineering staff for review of technical feasibility, constructability, discipline coordination and coordination of specifications.
      • Separate discipline review meetings with City Staff at 60 and 90% approximately 5 separate meetings for each review for a total of ten half day meetings utilizing 3D modeling technology for reality visualization.
      • 60% and 90% Plans and Specifications
      • Coordination with TCEQ and Texas Department of Licensing and Registration, including meeting with TCEQ in Austin to review specific critical design elements in order to ensure timely review and approval of the plans and provide written responses to any and all questions or comments including making any necessary changes required.
      • Final plans and Specification based on City, CMAR and TCEQ comments so that the CMAR can prepare individual bid and procurement packages for sub-contractor and vendor bidding.
    • Proposed fee for Basic Services: $,358,698
      • Equates o 6.1 percent of the estimated Package 2 construction cost of approximately $71,400,000 (excluding granulated Activated Carbon contract)
    • Proposed fee for Additional Services total $843,734.
    • Total proposed fees for development of 100% plans and specification for Package 2 is $5,202,432.
• Next Steps
  • Continue reviewing CMAR applicants

February 2019 memo

January

• Highlights
  • Progress on Surface Water Treatment Plant project
    • Freese and Nichols (Package 1) and CDM Smith (Package 2) completed their preliminary engineering assignments and submitted/will be submitting final preliminary engineering reports by end of January 2019
    • Stantec (Package 3) is working on completing package in early first quarter of 2019
      • Note, Stantec award Package 3 one year later than Freese and Nichols and CDM Smith
  • Results of Water Treatment Pilot Testing
    • Scope of Package 2 included design, build, equipment procurement and operation of a pilot scale treatment plant on site to identify and refine the treatment processes for use in the full scale plant
      • Pilot plant has operated for the last nine months to experience the widest variety of raw water conditions presented in the source waters and develop a robust treatment process flexible enough to deal with all anticipated raw water conditions
  • Introduction to the water testing event held for council
    • CDM Smith, in conjunction with the project’s water quality consultant, Carollo Engineers (pilot plant operators) created a water sampling opportunity to be conducted in the foyer of City Hall
      • Blind test , in that no sample will be identified prior to tasting and will include the collection of comments on water taste
    • Purpose: determine the ability to detect and discern any difference in the water samples from current courses and the proposed surface water source
      • Will also provide information on whether or not new surface water source is substatial enough to justify additional resources or operational requirements
    • Water sampling: January 28, 4:30 p.m., foyer of City Hall

January 2019 memo

2018

April

• Highlights
  • Package 1 – Raw Water System
    • Preliminary survey and geotechnical complete
    • Preliminary assessment of the basin’s physical and operational capacities complete
    • Draft PER was submitted in mid-march with recommendations for raw water intake and piping, low lift pump station including initial pumping for 10 mgd and planning for 20 mgd capacity
  • Package 2 -Water Treatment Plant
    • PER composed of multiple technical memoranda; process progress well and approximately 45 percent complete
  • Package 3 Distribution System
    • PER Contract awarded April 9
      • Notice to Proceed issued April 10
• Public Meeting Notification
  • SWTP project must include an Environmental Information Document (EID) in order to conform to the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA)
    • Component of the EID review process is the public outreach process, which provides the opportunity for the public to comment on environmental issues associated with the construction of the project and to ensure implementation of the best managed practices to respond to any environmental impacts that might result from the project
  • Public meeting scheduled for May 20, 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Annex

April 2018 memo

April 2018 Public Meeting Notice and memo

March

• Pre-Award Notification
  • Pre-Award Notification for Preliminary Engineering Services contract for Package 3 of the Surface Water Treatment Plant project to Stantec Consulting Services, Inc
  • Background
    • Federal investigation of previous contract holder Dannenbaum Engineering resulted in City rescinding contract, requiring replacement of this engineering consultant
  • Selection process for replacement opened and City staff chose Stantec Consulting Servicines in February 2018 as the most qualified firm to perform these services
  • Total contract value: $1,885,000
    • Fees are in final negotiation and may change by the time contract reaches Council for approval and award

March 2018 memo

2017

April

• Highlights
  • Design efforts per package:
  • Package 1 – Freese & Nichols - Raw Water System
    • Package 1 Raw Water System includes the intake connection to the Gulf Coast Water Authority American Canal, the Pre-Sedimentation Basic and the Raw Water Pump station
      • Tasks are considered Preliminary Engineering Design services; will include a Preliminary Engineering Report and 30% plans and specifications for a screened intake structure at the American Canal, a conveyance system from the canal intake across Mustang Bayou to the existing large pond, lining to create a pre-sedimentation basin at the existing large pond for initial water quality improvement. Work will also include a 20 MGD raw water pump station structure with 10 MGD initial capacity that can be expanded in the future
        • Raw water pump station will pump the water from the pre-sedimentation basic to the Water Treatment Plant
      • Preliminary design work will also include studies of existing groundwater and a feasibility study of potential use of adjacent properties
    • Cost: $1,246,507
  • Package 2 – CDM Smith – Water Treatment Plant
    • Package 2 includes the Water Treatment Plant and facilities up to the air gap into the Potable Water Ground Storage Tank(s)
      • Tasks include Process Evaluation, Development and Preliminary Design, and engineering support services, such as geotechnical and survey, pilot plant operations and investigation services.
      • Preliminary Design work, include the development of the treatment process, design of the main site power and distribution system, SCADA system architecture, site security, and design of buildings that will house the main treatment trains and staff operations control and support
    • Cost: $4,602,979
      • $2,500,000 allocated for the required pilot plant construction, treatment units, and report
  • Package 3 –CDM Smith -- Distribution System –
    • Package 3 includes Ground Storage Tanks, a Potable Water Pumping Station, and approximately 60,000 linear feet of potable water distribution and supply line, and approximately 6,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer force main to serve the new surface water plant
      • Scope – development of the plans and specification to the 30% for the Ground Storage Tanks and Pump Station and a Route Study to identify a corrido alignment for the water and sanitary lines
      • Pump Station preliminary design effort will include the identification of pumps and size, piping and valves with electrical equipment room, pump mechanical room, reception area, visitors center restrooms, control room—all in one common, multi-purpose struction
      • Site improvements related to the public area along the project road frontage will include the front entrance fate, visitor parking, entrance road, site grading, landscaping and irrigation, site fencing and electronic security, wastewater and water utility connections, site lighting and facility signage
      • Route study will include the identification of route for comparison purposes for four water line segments
    • Cost: $1,100,272.10
  • Task Order No. 3
    • Recommended to provide coordination and oversight assistance related to the TWDB requirements, three design packages, and a Water Master Plan update, all key to the SWP program preliminary design engineering efforts
    • Includes 10 sub-tasks grouped into activities related to funding assistance, water system master planning and coordination and oversight of the concurrent preliminary design engineering work
    • Cost: $1,587,764
      • Funding assistance
      • Water Master Plan Update
      • Coordination and oversight of package number 1, 2, 3
    • Funding
      • Currently available: $6,223,866
      • $451,655 available for full system Water Modeling
      • Award of all three Preliminary Engineering packages plus Task Order #3 Contract totals $8,537,522
        • Exceed the currently available funding by $1,862,001.
        • Acceleration of design of distribution lines in package 3, require additional award of $1,900,000 to the project from TWDB bonds already sold. Award is necessary to accelerate design of distribution lines to match the plant schedule.

April 2017 memo

March

• Highlights
  • Funding
    • Texas Water Development Board and City staff have completed the loan ordinance and pre-loan closing activities following the TWDB’s approval of $159,500.000.
      • $12,025,000 will be used for the Surface Water Plant design
      • Remaining $10,225,000 will be for the Water Meter Change Out
  • Owner’s Representative Task #1
    • TWDB staff requested engineering feasibility report be amended to include the Water Meter change out project due to its inclusion in funding
    • Work to gather water quality data so that the American Canal source water can be analyzed is also under way
      • This work will create a monitoring plan and establish preliminary water goals which will be used to develop the Surface Water Plant water quality parameters.
  • Task #2, #3
    • Upcoming work related the the Preliminary Design will require the next two Task Orders to be boughts to Council for approval.
    • Activities associated with Task #2 include Advanced Metering Infrastructure and Water Meter Change Out project procurement assistance in accordance with TWDB requirements
    • Task Order #3 includes assistance with TWDB funding requirements, design package scoping and negotiation, update to the City’s Water Master Plan, Design Package 3 Water Line Support, the Development of the Basis of Design for the Surface Water Treatment Plant, Pilot Plant Support related to water quality, development of a procurement and construction methodology for work, Planned Facility Personnel Requirements, Design Deliverable Reviews, and PRoject Standards Development the ensure standardization across all design work
  • Program Update
    • Selection process of three Design teams completed with contracts to be approved by Council in April
    • Staff in process of scoping and negotiation for proposed scopes
      • Package 1: Freese & Nichols Inc: Raw Water System: including canal intake structure and pre sedimentation basic
      • Package 2: CDM Smith: Surface Water Purification Plant including operations building
      • Package 3: Dannenbaum Engineering Corporation: Distribution System including storage tanks, high service pump station/public reception area, and transmission lines

March 2017 memo.

February

• Highlights
  • Council approved Master Service Agreement for Owner’s Representative services with Ardurra Group, LLC.
  • Council approved funding the project through the Texas Water Development Board with the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
    • Fund provides low interest financing for water projects
  • Staff completed the Consultant Selection Process to select the most qualified firm through a Qualification Based Selection process in accordance with state statutes.
    • Selection separated into three design packages and followed City’s standard for RFQ process, plus TWDB requirements
    • Firms were selected following interview process
      • Package 1
        • Raw Water System: canal intake structure and pre-sedimentation basic
        • Firm: Freese-Nichols
      • Package 2
        • Water Purification Plant
        • Firm: CDM Smith
      • Package 3
        • Distribution System: storage, high service pump station, and transmission lines
        • Firm: Dannenbaum/LAN
  • Ardurra
    • Owner’s Representative; role is to act as an independent and impartial advocate for the City’s goals
• Next Steps
  • Develop detailed scope of work and negotiate design fees
  • Council approval for contracts
    • Expectation, following completion of Preliminary Engineering Reports, is to receive Council approval for Package 1 & 3 in the July through September timeframe.
    • Package 2 expected to take longer; final design contract expected April 2018.

February 2017 memo.

2016

June

• Highlights
  • Staff submitted initia abridged applications for the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund programs
    • Both programs are administered by the Texas Water Development Board
  • Staff interviewed Owners Representatives and made a selection in March 2016
  • Council approved the submittal of full applications to both funding assistance programs in may 2016
• Upcoming Items
  • Staff will begin the determination process for the most favorable funding assistance program
  • June 27^th- Council will consider the Master Service Agreement for Owner’s Representative services with Ardurra Group LLC.
    • First Task Order will include: funding application assistance, development of an engineering feasibility study and report, design consultant request for proposals and selection assistance, water quality review assistance, overall water system conveyance analysis and project management services.

June 2016 memo.