City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JUNE 24, 2025 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: ANNUAL PURCHASE ORDERS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026 FOR CHEMICAL PURCHASES FOR THE RIVERSIDE REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT AS PER SECTIONS 404 AND 602(J) OF PURCHASING RESOLUTION NO. 24101: CITRIC ACID FROM NORTHSTAR CHEMICAL, OF SANTA FE SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, IN THE AMOUNT OF $300,000; FERRIC CHLORIDE FROM KEMIRA WATER SOLUTIONS, INC., OF FONTANA, CALIFORNIA, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,328,888; SODIUM BISULFATE WITH UNIVAR USA, INC., OF KENT, WASHINGTON, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,122,682; AND SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE FROM PIONEER AMERICAS, LLC., OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,251,287, FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $6,002,857
ISSUE:
Approve four annual purchases orders for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 for chemical purchases for the Riverside Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) as per Sections 404 and 602(j) of Purchasing Resolution No. 24101: 1) citric acid from Northstar Chemical, of Santa Fe Springs, California, in the amount of $300,000; 2) ferric chloride from Kemira Water Solutions, Inc., of Fontana, California, in the amount of $1,328,888; 3) sodium bisulfate with Univar USA, Inc., of Kent, Washington, in the amount of $1,122,682 and 4) sodium hypochlorite from Pioneer Americas, LLC., of Wilmington, Delaware, in the amount of $3,251,287, for a total amount of $6,002,857.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve an annual Purchase Order with Northstar Chemical of Santa Fe Springs, California, for citric acid in the amount $300,000; Approve an annual Purchase Order with Kemira Water Solutions, Inc., of Fontana, California, for ferric chloride in the amount of $1,328,888; Approve an annual Purchase Order with Univar USA, Inc., of Kent, Washington, for sodium bisulfite in the amount of $1,122,682; and Approve an annual Purchase Order with Pioneer Americas, LLC., of Wilmington, Delaware, for sodium hypochlorite in the amount of $3,251,287.
Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute purchase orders with Northstar Chemical, Kemira Water Solutions, Inc., Univar USA, Inc. and Pioneer Americas, LLC. including making minor and non-substantive changes.
BACKGROUND:
The Public Works Department Wastewater Division is responsible for the collection and treatment of wastewater generated within the City of Riverside and the communities of Edgemont, Highgrove, Jurupa, and Rubidoux at the Riverside Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP). To satisfy the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, wastewater must be treated to achieve regulatory water quality standards, The RWQCP treatment processes require various chemicals, including citric acid, sodium bisulfate, sodium hypochlorite and ferric chloride, to achieve water quality objectives.
DISCUSSION:
Chemical purchases for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 can be made pursuant to Purchasing Resolution No. 24101 Sections 404 and 602(j), which allow the purchase of chemicals through informal or negotiated procurement providing it is in the best interest of the City to do so.
Staff learned through COVID that directly contracting with manufacturers ensures the most reliable and cost-effective means of securing chemicals. Experience has shown that vendors who purchase products from manufacturers and then sell them to consumers have faced challenges in securing supplies during supply chain disruptions. Additionally, each year, staff are contacted by vendors who express the ability to supply a chemical, but when discussing quantities and delivery schedules, they are unable to fully meet our requirements.
Staff conducted a general market analysis comparing current vendor pricing to other businesses that offer similar goods and found unit costs for chemicals vary depending on the type.
A summary of the chemicals being purchased at the RWQCP in FY 2025/26 are listed in Table 1.
Table 1 – Chemical Purchases
Vendor
Chemical
Cost
Northstar Chemical
Citric Acid
$ 300,000
Kemira Water Solutions, Inc.
Ferric Chloride
$1,328,888
Univar USA, Inc.
Sodium Bisulfate
$1,122,682
Pioneer Americas LLC
Sodium Hypochlorite
$3,251,287
Total: $6,002,857
Staff will continue to monitor chemical purchases in the upcoming year and adjust, if necessary.
Purchasing Resolution No. 24101 Section 404, Utilities Exceptions states, “The Water, Electric and Sewer Utilities have a need for compatibility within their respective systems for uniform operations, maintenance and replacement, and this need can be met by procuring certain supplies, equipment, and materials supplies through Informal Procurement or Negotiated Procurement. If it appears to the Manager to be in the best interest of overall economy and efficiency of the City to do so, and it is within existing budget appropriation, the following supplies, equipment, and materials are determined to be peculiar to the needs of the Water Utility, the Electric Utility, and the Sewer Utility and may be acquired by Informal Procurement or Negotiated Procurement, regardless of their estimated Procurement expenditure amounts, provided that the City’s Board of Public Utilities or City Council shall have approved the proposed acquisition if required under the provisions of the City Charter, either by approval of the procurement contract or approval of annual purchase orders.” Purchasing Resolution No. 24101, Section 602 (j) authorizes the purchase of goods “When the Procurement is subject to Section 404 of this Resolution, which generally allows for items peculiar to the needs of Riverside Public Utilities (Section 1203 of the City Charter) and Public Works – Sewer to be made through Informal or Negotiated Procurement.” The Purchasing Manager concurs that the recommended actions are compliant with Resolution No. 24101, Sections 404 and 602(j).
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority 4 – Environmental Stewardship and Goal 4.2 – Sustainably manage local water resources to maximize reliability and advanced water reuse to ensure safe, reliable, and affordable water to our community.
This item also aligns with the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – Conducting water treatment routines ensures wastewater discharges do not negatively impact the community and environment. The RWQCP requires a variety of chemicals to treat wastewater to comply with federal, state, regional and local regulatory requirements.
Equity – The purchase of these chemicals supports RWQCP efforts in protecting the public’s health and environment by ensuring wastewater treatment is performed efficiently in compliance with federal, state, regional, and local regulatory requirements.
Fiscal Responsibility – The purchase of these chemicals supports RWQCP efforts in minimizing inefficiencies and developing control methods to maximize reliability and ensure efficient wastewater treatment.
Innovation – The purchase of these chemicals exemplifies a collaborative partnership between Northstar Chemical of Santa Fe Springs, California; Kemira Water Solutions Inc., of Fontana, California; Pioneer Americas, LLC., of Wilmington, Delaware; and Univar USA, Inc., of Kent, Washington, to enhance operational reliability by achieving measurable improvements through proper wastewater treatment.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The purchase of these chemicals supports the implementation of sustainability to treat wastewater that is generated within the City of Riverside and the communities of Edgemont, Highgrove, Jurupa, and Rubidoux at the Riverside Water Quality Control Plant.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of the action is $6,002,857. Once the proposed amendment of the fiscal year 2025/26 portion of the previously adopted fiscal year 2024-2026 biennial budget is approved by the City Council on June 17, 2025, sufficient funds will be available in the Sewer Fund, Sewer System Treatment, Chemical Supplies account number 4125200-426600 and Sewer Collection Systems Maintenance, Chemical Supplies account number 4125100-426600 for this purchase.
Prepared by: Victoria Villegas, Administrative Analyst Approved by: Gilbert Hernandez, Public Works Director Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager Approved as to form: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Attachment: Presentation
Annual Purchase Order for Chemicals at WQCP (FY 24/25) ● Page 2