DATE: 08/05/2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Honorable President and Board Members
FROM: Utilities Department
2026-276
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AND
CORONA UTILITY AUTHORITY ACTION
SUBJECT:
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT WITH PACIFIC HYDROTECH CORPORATION FOR
LESTER WATER TREATMENT PLANT BACKWASH TANK REHABILITATION,
OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE PROJECT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report asks that the City Council award Notice Inviting Bids 26-026CA to Pacific Hydrotech Corporation for the Lester Water Treatment Plant Backwash Tank Rehabilitation Project to address significant deterioration of the existing backwash tank roof structure, restore protective tank coatings, improve influent piping, and enhance overall operational reliability.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Adopt the Plans and Specifications for the Lester Water Treatment Plant Backwash Tank Rehabilitation Project, Notice Inviting Bids 26-026CA. b. Award Notice of Inviting Bids 26-026CA to Pacific Hydrotech Corporation, the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, for the total bid amount of $837,800 and waive any and all minor irregularities in the bidding documents as submitted by said bidder.
c. Approve the Construction Contract with Pacific Hydrotech Corporation for the Lester Water Treatment Plant Backwash Tank Rehabilitation Project in the amount of $837,800.
d. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the Construction Contract with Pacific Hydrotech Corporation and issue a purchase order in the amount of $837,800 including any non-substantive extensions, change orders, purchase orders, and amendments up to 10% of total contract cost or $83,780 as authorized by Corona Municipal Code Section 3.08.050(H).
e. Authorize an appropriation in the amount of $1,134,058 from the Water Utility Fund (FD_1570) to the Lester Water Treatment Plant Backwash Tank Rehabilitation, Operating and Maintenance Project No. PJ_00000230.
That the Corona Utility Authority review, ratify, and to the extent necessary, direct the City Council to take the above actions
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
Lester Water Treatment Plant (WTP), located at 2970 Rimpau Avenue, is a critical facility for treating imported raw water purchased from the Metropolitan Water District for the City of Corona. Lester WTP treats raw water for total suspended solids through a multi-stage filtration and disinfection process before distribution into the City’s water system.
Constructed in 2000, the backwash tank supports filtration system cleaning operations and is an essential part of the treatment process. During backwash cycles, water is collected and stored in the tank to maintain treatment efficiency and support plant operations. In 2024, condition assessments identified significant deterioration of the roof framing, coating failure, and deficiencies in associated piping. Rehabilitation improvements are necessary to restore the tank, extend its service life, and support continued reliable operation.
ANALYSIS:
On April 28, 2026, Notice Inviting Bids (NIB) 26-026CA was solicited following City of Corona Municipal Code Section 3.08.090 Public projects – formal bidding procedure and purchasing policy through the City’s PlanetBids bidding portal. Project bidding was limited to the City’s pre-qualified contractors only. The City has 15 pre-qualified contractors to perform water treatment, water pump station, well drilling and water system mechanical projects. On May 12, 2026, two prequalified contractors attended a mandatory job walk held at the project site. Two bids were received through the PlanetBids bidding service by the bid due date of June 16, 2026, from the following contractors:
Vendor City Bid Amount
Pacific Hydrotech Corporation Murrieta $837,800
The project scope of work consists of demolition and replacement of the existing welded steel roof system with a new press-brake steel roof system, structural steel improvements, interior and exterior tank coating rehabilitation, piping modifications, structural repairs, testing, startup, and commissioning.
The following bid schedule prices were received from Pacific Hydrotech Corporation, the lowest responsive bidder:
ITEM
NO. ITEM DESCRIPTION
UNIT EST
QTY
UNIT
PRICE
TOTAL
PRICE
1 Mobilization/Demobilization LS 1 $123,900 $123,900
2 Startup, Testing, Disinfection,
Cleanup and Commissioning
LS 1 $4,400 $4,400
3 Mechanical Ductile Iron Pipe,
Fittings and Supports
LS 1 $65,900 $65,900
4 Selective Site Demolition LS 1 $43,000 $43,000
5 Cast-in-Place Concrete Pipe
Supports
LS 1 $15,000 $15,000
6 Steel Construction Work LS 1 $201,500 $201,500
7 Roof Hatch EA 1 $7,500 $7,500
8 Re-coat Steel Water Tank Interior
and Exterior
LS 1 $376,600 $376,600
Total Bid $837,800
City staff and an on-call firm, Z&K Consultants, Inc., will provide project management to uphold the contract documents while interacting with the various contractors and consultants. Following an informal Request for Proposal issued to the City’s on-call consultant firms for this project, Z&K Consultants, Inc. was selected to provide construction management, inspection, and certified payroll review services in support of the project. These services will support successful project delivery and ensure compliance with the contract documents, plans and specifications, and applicable labor regulations. As the design engineer, Dudek, will provide engineering support during the construction phase of the project.
Summary of Project Costs:
Project Management Support (Z&K Consultants, Inc.) $45,410 SCW Contracting Corp. Fallbrook $988,475
Inspection, Construction Management & Certified Payroll Services (Z&K Consultants, Inc.)
$168,914
Engineering Support (Dudek) $15,714
Pacific Hydrotech Corporation Contract $837,800
10% Project Contingency $106,784
Project
Cost
$1,174,622
Funds Available (in PJ_00000230) $ 40,564
Fund Appropriation
Needed
$1,134,058
Staff recommends that the City Council award NIB 26-026CA and the Construction Contract in the amount of $837,800 to Pacific Hydrotech Corporation, as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder for the Lester Water Treatment Plant Backwash Tank Rehabilitation, Operating and Maintenance Project. All licenses and references for Pacific Hydrotech Corporation have been reviewed and verified by City Staff, and all other required documentation is in order.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of the recommended actions will result in an appropriation in the amount of $1,134,058 from the Water Utility Fund (FD_1570) to the Lester Water Treatment Plant Backwash Tank Rehabilitation, Operating and Maintenance Project No. PJ_00000230.
Fund Project No. Requested
Appropriation
Current
Balance
Project Cost
FD_1570 PJ_00000230 $1,134,058 $40,564 $1,174,622
There is sufficient working capital for the recommended actions.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15301 of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Action (CEQA), which states that “operation, repair, 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, the action is exempt from the requirements of CEQA, and no environmental analysis is required.
PREPARED BY: ERIN KUNKLE, MAINTENANCE MANAGER
REVIEWED BY: TOM MOODY, UTILITIES DIRECTOR
ATTACHMENT:
1. Exhibit 1 – Construction Contract