DATE: 05/07/2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Honorable President and Board Members
FROM: Utilities Department
2025-194
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AND
CORONA UTILITY AUTHORITY ACTION
SUBJECT:
MAINTENANCE/GENERAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH XYLEM DEWATERING SOLUTIONS, INC., DBA WACHS WATER SERVICES FOR WATER DISTRIBUTION
SYSTEMS LEAK DETECTION SURVEY SERVICES
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report asks City Council to approve a Maintenance/General Services Agreement with Xylem Dewatering Solutions, Inc., dba Wachs Water Services, for Water Distribution Systems Leak Detection Survey Services to support the Utilities Department’s comprehensive annual leak detection survey program.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Award Request for Proposal 25-011MB to Xylem Dewatering Solutions, Inc., dba Wachs Water Services, to perform Water Distribution Systems Leak Detection Survey Services.
b. Approve the Maintenance/General Service Agreement with Xylem Dewatering Solutions, Inc., dba Wachs Water Services, of Mira Loma, CA to perform Water Distribution Leak Detection Survey Services in the amount of $256,632. c. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Maintenance/General Services Agreement with Xylem Dewatering Solutions, Inc., dba Wachs Water Services, for a total contract of $256,632 per fiscal year for the initial contract term ending on June 30, 2026, with two (2) optional two (2) two-year extensions including the ability to negotiate and execute non-substantive changes and extensions, purchase orders and amendments up to $25,663.20 or 10% of the original contract amount.
That the Corona Utility Authority review, ratify, and, to the extent necessary, direct the City Council to take the above actions.
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
The City of Corona provides water services to more than 40,000 accounts and ratepayers through two distinct distribution systems. The potable water distribution system encompasses over 800 miles of pipeline, ranging in diameter from 1 to 30 inches and composed of cast iron, ductile iron, steel, asbestos cement, and polyvinyl chloride. The reclaimed water system, designated for non-potable uses, consists of approximately 66 miles of pipeline with diameters ranging from 1 to 24 inches. Both systems include valves, mainline valves, fire hydrants spaced approximately every 300 feet, and service connections approximately every 100 feet.
To ensure the proper maintenance of these systems, the Utilities Department (UD) implements a comprehensive annual leak detection survey program. This program aims to improve system performance by reducing non-revenue water loss from leaks, physical escape, and other discrepancies such as inaccurate meter readings or billing data. The City's leak detection program surveys over 500 miles of pipeline annually. Over the past seven years, the leak detection program has identified 580 leaks, recovering an estimated 55 million gallons of water since 2018.
The City of Corona seeks to retain a contractor to continue its Water Distribution Leak Detection Survey Services program. The contractor will conduct acoustic listening surveys at direct contact points on water transmission and distribution mains, adhering to the American Water Works Association (AWWA) M36 manual for Water Audits and Loss Control Programs. Deliverables will include detailed summary reports identifying leak locations, estimated flow rates, GPS coordinates for each leak, and supporting visual documentation such as photographs and maps.
ANALYSIS:
Water distribution leaks can cost the City and ratepayers thousands of dollars annually.
By utilizing Wachs Water Services, UD minimizes damage and cost through regular, proactive maintenance, pinpointing deficiencies and leaks in the potable and recycled water distribution system.
On October 28, 2024, the Purchasing division issued a Request for Proposal (RFP 25- 011MB) following the City Municipal Code Section 3.08.110 Non-public projects formal bidding procedure and posted on the City’s bidding portal, PlanetBids. A total of 162 firms were solicited through PlanetBids. Seven firms, including 14 bid service companies, downloaded the RFP documents. In turn, the bid service companies notify their clients of the potential bid opportunity, thereby providing additional exposure for the project. Two proposals were received through PlanetBids by the due date of December 10, 2024. The following is a summary of the results:
The scope of work and estimated application cost for Water Distribution Leak Detection Survey Services submitted by Wach Water Services are outlined as follows:
ITEM
NO. ITEM DESCRIPTION
Unit of
Measure
QTY UNIT
COST
TOTAL
PRICE
1 Leak Detection Non-Metallic Pipe Each 711 $ 297 $ 211,167 2 Leak Detection Metallic Pipe Each 210 $ 216.50 $ 45,465 Total Project Amount: $ 256,632
The proposal was evaluated on five criteria including Completeness of Response, Work Plan/Work Organization, Qualifications of Company and Personnel, Approach to Safety Measures, and Reasonableness of Cost and Price.
Following the analysis of the proposal evaluation, Xylem Dewatering Solutions, Inc., dba Wachs Water Services exhibits the essential skills, experience, and staffing required for the successful execution of the project’s scope of work. This scope of work necessitates a classification-A California state license for General Engineering Contractors, a qualification held by Xylem Dewatering Solutions, Inc., dba Wachs Water Services, but not by Utility Service Associates, LLC.
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Maintenance/General Services Agreement with Xylem Dewatering Solutions, Inc., dba Wachs Water Services, for Water Distribution Leak Detection Survey Services for $256,632.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Funding for the recommended actions is available in the Fiscal Year 2025 Utilities Department Operating Budget within the Water Utility Fund 570 and Reclaimed Water Utility Fund 567. Future funding will be recommended through the annual budget process.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15302 (c) of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Action (CEQA), which states that “operation, repair, Vendor City Bid Amount
Wachs Water Services Mira Loma, CA $256,632
Utility Service Associates, LLC Kalispell, MT $265,431
maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the CEQA determination” and is therefore exempt from CEQA. This action involves repairs to existing infrastructure to maintain public health and safety. Therefore, is exempt from the requirements of CEQA, and no environmental analysis is required.
PREPARED BY: KATIE HOCKETT, ASSISTANT UTILITIES DIRECTOR REVIEWED BY: TOM MOODY, UTILITIES DIRECTOR
ATTACHMENT:
1. Exhibit 1 – MGSA with Wachs Water Services