Title
Resolution - A Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with NanoStone Water, Inc., for Vendor Services and Appropriating Funds Related to the Membrane Pilot Study
Requested Action
Consider the Resolution authorizing an agreement with NanoStone Water and appropriating funds not to exceed $115,300.00.
Recommendation
Utility Staff recommends approval of the Resolution.
Description/History
In 2006 the City conducted a filter pilot study that looked at membrane filtration technology for the Phase IV Expansion at the Bud Ervin Water Treatment Plant (BEWTP). Upon the conclusion of this pilot study, Pall Membranes were selected and then later constructed into the expansion. These filters went online in early 2011 with an anticipated ten-year life expectancy. Now that we are approaching the end of the Pall Filters life, we need to identify a replacement strategy.
In the Utility Strategic Plan, we have identified and planned for the remaining 15 MGD of capacity to construct in 2024 and include replacing the current Pall filters.
Over the last ten months, we have worked with Plummer Associates to evaluate other membrane technologies and manufacturers on the market. NanoStone Water was selected to complete the pilot portion of the study to prove their performance and meet water quality requirements.
Justification
Before any low-pressure membrane technology can be utilized in water treatment, the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires a full-scale pilot study to be conducted and approved. This Resolution will authorize NanoStone Water to deliver and run a 15-month pilot test of their equipment at the Bud Ervin Water Treatment Plant. The water from the test will be sent back to the recycle and treated through the current approved treatment processes.
The budget for this project includes the costs to rent, ship, install and remove pilot equipment. We have included costs necessary to hire additional trades and pay for outside sampling and testing. We are evaluating opportunities to share the cost with two other water utilities, Weatherford and Fort Worth. We are awaiting a decision from TCEQ to qualify the raw water quality of each entity as similar enough to participate in the pilot.
Funding Source
Utility Fund
Prepared By
Jeff Price, Director of Utilities
817-728-3602