CityCouncil
StaffReport
From:CityManager
ReportType:INFORMATIONREPORTS
LeadDepartment:Utilities
MeetingDate:June3,2024
StaffReport:2404Ͳ2860
TITLE
InformationalReportontheCityofPaloAltoUtilities2024WaterGasandWastewaterUtility Standards
BACKGROUND
The City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) Department’s Water, Gas, and Wastewater (WGW) EngineeringDivisionimplementsstandarddesignandconstructionspecificationsforwater,gas, and wastewater facilities. City
staff and contractors will reference these standards for construction work on CPAUͲowned facilities within the public rightͲofͲway and on private propertytoensurethatutilityinfrastructureisconstructedandmaintainedinasafe,uniform, and reliable manner. The WGW Utility Standards include installation requirements, material specifications,andstandardizedconfigurations.
ANALYSIS
CPAU Engineering staff updates the WGW Utility Standards 1 periodically and last issued
revisionsin2022.This2024editionreflectscurrentconstructionmaterialavailabilitytoexpand procurementmarketplace,andincorporatesuptodatefieldpractices,contractmanagement, aswellasothernonͲsubstantialtechnicalediting.Thesechangesresultinclarifyingcontractor’s responsibilities, enhancing staff’s ability to enforce contract requirements, and reducing contractdisputesorpotentialchangeorders. Asummaryofthemoresignificantrevisionsto the2024WGWUtilityStandardsisprovidedbelow:
x Rewordedsomephrasingandaddednewlanguagetoincreaseclarityofstandards andrequirements(invarioussections).
x Included additional language to clarify Contractor’s responsibilities on construction projects to help City manage capital improvement project contracts (in various sections).
x AddedasentencetoensurethattheContractor’scostsavingproposalmeetsthe
1
WGWUtilityStandardshttps://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/8/utilities/utilitiesͲ engineering/generalͲspecifications/2024ͲwgwͲutilityͲstandard_onlineͲversion.pdf
intendedperformancegoals(Section800).
x OutlinedthetimelineforNoticeofAward,ContractExecution,NoticetoProceed, preͲconstructionsubmittals,preͲconstructionmeeting,andtheanticipatedstartdate ofconstruction(Section800).
x Addedrequirementsforphoto/videoofpreͲconstructionconditionsandprocedures forreportingsanitaryseweroverflows(Section800).
x Includedadditionalrequirementsandclarificationrelatedtotrafficcontrolplansand constructionhoursforUtilitiescapitalimprovementprojects(CIPs)(Section1500). x DetailedthepreͲinstallationpotholingrequirementstoprotectexistingunderground utilitiesandaddedalinkfortheCIPcontractorstopreviewthelocationsofPG&E’s highpressuretransmissionpipelinewithinPaloAlto(Section2200). x Changedtheclearancerequirementstofurtherprotectexistingundergroundutilities (Section2300).
x Updatedsomewaterinstallationproceduresandpartstoreflectcurrentindustry standards(Sections2660).
x Addedspecificationsfortemporaryrepairclampusedongaspipe(Section2685). x Updatedthetestingproceduresfornewsewermanhole(Section2738). x ClarifiedthepreͲconstructionandpostͲconstructionvideoinspectionrequirements (Section2739).
ATTACHMENTS
AttachmentA:2024WGWUtilityStandards–CleanVersion AttachmentB:2024WGWUtilityStandards–RedlineVersion
APPROVEDBY:
DeanBatchelor,DirectorofUtilities
Staff:SilviaSantos,WGWEngineeringManager