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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7C, Motion to Authorize Staff to Contract with Infratech - ~HILLS Request for Council Action Prepared By: Kristine Giga, Civil Engineer Council Meeting Date: September 29, 2008 Motion to Authorize Staff to Contract with Infratech to Complete Smoke Testing in an Amount Not to Exceed $28,000 Budgeted Amount: $100,100 Actual Amount: $28,000 Funding Source: Sanitary Sewer Enterprise Fund Recommendation: 1. Authorize Staff to Contract with Infratech to Complete Smoke Testing in an Amount Not to Exceed $28,000 Supporting Documents: 1. Memorandum dated September 25, 2008 from City Staff. 2. Notification letter being sent to affected property owners. ~ EN HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: September 25,2008 TO: Mayor and City Council Ron Moorse, City Administrator FROM: Kristine Giga, Civil Engineer Greg Hoag, Public Works Director SUBJECT: Smoke Testing BACKGROUND As part of the City's efforts to reduce Inflow and Infiltration (1&1), staff received quotes for a consultant to complete smoke testing within a portion of the City. Smoke testing is one technique being used to identify sources of inflow in the sanitary sewer system. Smoke testing is most effective in detecting sources such as roof leaders, yard drains, foundation drains, abandoned building sewers, faulty connections, illegal connections, and storm water drainage system cross connections. It can also detect structural damage and leaking joints in sewer pipes as well as overflow points in a sewer system. The process for smoke testing is to blow smoke through isolated segments of the sanitary sewer system. The segments are watched to determine if smoke is exiting anywhere, indicating the potential for storm water to enter the sanitary sewer system. Expenses incurred with smoke testing can be credited toward the City's 1&1 surcharge. DISCUSSION Staff has been working with Bonestroo to coordinate smoke testing work. Two proposals were received to complete smoke testing in Met Council Meter 51 area, from Infratech and Visu- Sewer, at $28,000 and $36,300 respectively. Meter 51 receives waste from two of the City's sewersheds: Lift Station #4 (part of the 2006 PMP- Ridgewood neighborhood) and Lift Station \ \M etro-ineLus\ardenhills\PR&PW\Engineeling\2008\Council _ Actions\9- 29-08M elTIO _ SlTIokeT esting.doc 9/25/2008 Page 2 #8 (the Glenarden neighborhood and the entire area east ofTH 51 and south of Cummings Park Drive. ) Staff has been in contact with Infratech, the firm who provided the lower cost, regarding a schedule to complete the work this fall. Infratech can begin smoke testing on Monday, October 6. To provide sufficient time for property owners to be made aware of the work, call with questions, and prepare for the potential disruption, staff will send out notices early the week of September 29. A copy of the notification letter is included with this packet. FINANCIAL IMPLICATION The proposal was submitted as an hourly cost. It is estimated that the smoke testing will take approximately 120 hours to complete, at a rate of $21 O/hour. A ten percent contingency has been added; however, the contract will be a not to exceed cost based on actual hours spent. RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION Authorize Staff to Contract with Infratech for a Smoke Testing Contract in an Amount Not to Exceed $28,000 City of Arden Hills Public Works Department Sewer Utility SMOKE TESTING NOTICE Inflow and Infiltration (III) Study In October, contractors working for the Arden Hills Public Works Department will be conducting smoke tests of the sanitary sewer system in your area. Smoke testing is a standard means of identifying sewer defects and rain water cross connections. The purpose of these tests is to find defects and faulty connections where excess ground and rain water can enter the sanitary sewer system, negatively effecting its economical and safe functioning. This smoke testing work is part of Public Works Sewer Utility's Infiltration (1/1) Study that began in 2007. The information gained from smoke testing will help the City prepare a comprehensive plan to reduce rain water Inflow and ground water Infiltration (1/1) in its sanitary sewer system. Reducing 1/1 is an ongoing citywide effort to: hold down wastewater treatment costs that are passed on to the user; to help protect the integrity of the sewer system; and to be in compliance with the Metropolitan Council's Environmental Services (MCES) Surcharge Program adopted by the Metropolitan Council in February of 2006. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT SMOKE TESTING Testina Schedule: The testing will begin on October 6. While the testing on an individual street will take approximately 30 minutes, it will take three to four weeks to complete all of the testing in the study area. Property owners will receive additional notification a few days before the contractor moves into your area. Process: · Simulated smoke will be injected into the sewer system. As a result smoke may be seen coming from manhole covers, storm drains, roof vents, and building foundations. · After each setup the smoke test will last approximately 30 minutes. · Photographs will be taken to document potential leaks. · Homeowners do not need to be home and inspection crews will not need to enter your home. · Residents/Homeowners can still use faucets and bathroom facilities during smoke testing. Tips to prevent smoke from enterina your home (complete prior to test): · Run water faucets for a few seconds in unused sinks, tubs, and drains to fill fixture traps. · Pour water into each basement floor drain (at least 1 gallon) · If you have defective plumbing (Le., no trap), you should consult with a licensed plumber. If yOU notice smoke in your home: · Do NOT become alarmed. · Open doors and windows to ventilate the premises to clear smoke. · Please notify our work crews by calling the City at 651-792-7800. · Simulated smoke will not stain walls or furniture; nor will it leave a residue. · Consult a licensed plumber in the near future to identify the smoke access area, as the potential exists for sewer gases to enter your home in the same manner. Safety/Health Issues: · There is NO danger of fire or explosion of sewer gas with the smoke testing process. · The Ramsey County Sheriff and the Lake Johanna Fire Department will be notified of the smoke testing. · Important! If there is an individual in your home or business who has respiratory problems and is immobile please notify the City at 651-792-7800 prior to testing. · Avoid unnecessary exposure to the simulated smoke. The smoke is relatively harmless but may irritate air passages. Smoke irritation is temporary and should disappear after exposure has ceased. For questions - contact the City at 651-792-7800. Thank you for your cooperation!